Tour director Emily Andrew and her senior-citizen group of Iowans, which includes her Nana, are enjoying their fourth trip. This time they've embarked on a cruise of the Hawaiian Islands aboard the Aloha Princess. Also on the cruise is renowned Captain Cook expert Professor Dorian Smoker, who's giving lectures on the legendary explorer. When the professor falls overboard, his graduate assistant claims it was no accident -- he was pushed! Everything comes to a standstill as the waters are searched for his body, but no trace of him is found. As Emily bemoans, "Another vacation, another body. This is really getting old."

Okay, so the guy wasn't well-liked by several organizations that disputed his Cook theories, and some of those members are on the cruise, but did they dislike him enough to kill him? And what happened to the recently discovered Griffin Ring journal Nana's friend, Tilly, gave the professor to authenticate -- the handwritten journal that tells of a buried treasure on one of the islands and even provides a map? When copies of the map start turning up in passengers' hands, it brings on a wild kayak race up the Wailua River, followed by a hike through the tropical forest to the Secret Falls on Kauai. Armed with eating utensils and whatever else they can come up with, digging starts for the mysterious treasure wherever they think "X marks the spot." Later, when the dead body of a passenger is discovered along the hiking trail, things go from bad to really bad. What's going on, and will Emily be able to figure it out?

Emily's misfortunes escalate as she tries to protect her little group of intrepid seniors, who are set on retrieving the treasure for Tilly. Emily is also experiencing problems concerning a certain handsome, sexy Swiss/German/Italian police inspector, Etienne Miceli, who claims to love her, but won't make a firm proposal. Then a second handsome admirer makes his serious intentions known, and Emily's emotions are topsy-turvy. Well, why wouldn't they be with all she has to contend with?

Oh, boy, here we go again! The latest installment in Hunter's Passport to Peril mystery series is another fun adventure with this hilarious bunch of zany characters! We can all relate to Emily and her problems, as well as to those of her quirky group of travelers. Hunter's witty and intelligent writing pulls readers in so easily, you feel a part of the action. I've already signed up for the next tour, I don't care where it goes. You should join in the fun, too, if you haven't already.

Book Summary

What could be more relaxing than a tropical cruise? Great food to indulge in, nice hot sun to bask in, crystal clear waters to drown in... Well, of course, someone falls overboard as soon as they set sail - that's just the kind of luck travel guide Emily Andrew has when she takes her quirky bunch of Iowans anywhere: Switzerland, Ireland, Italy - why should Hawaii be any different?