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Mary Higgins Clark is the author or co-author of over 30 books, many of them best-selling suspense stories. Carol Higgins Clark is her daughter and has written several books of her own along with a few that she’s co-authored with her mother.

Because I’ve read most of Mary Higgins Clark’s books and have enjoyed most of them, I decided to read this book, released in November 2006.

The book centers around a cruise that takes place between Christmas and New Year’s. It is the first voyage of a small independent cruise ship that has been refurbished by Randolph Weed and is named the Royal Mermaid. The cruise ship is where Commodore Weed (as he likes to be called), wants to spend the rest of his days, entertaining paid and unpaid guests.

The maiden voyage of the ship is scheduled for January, but because ticket sales have been very poor, Dudley Loomis, his public relations man, suggests hosting a completely free cruise between Christmas and New Year’s for people who have “made the world a better place this past year.” The guest list is 400 people who have given of themselves or who have given a sizeable sum of money to worthwhile and charitable causes. Also included on the cruise are 10 Santa’s, who have been chosen lottery style from all over the country.

In keeping with the theme of the cruise, the 10 Santa’s are asked to wear special lightweight Santa costumes, including black sandals, that Dudley Loomis had made, while on the cruise.

Commodore Weed’s nephew Eric is also part of the crew. Unknown to anyone else on the ship, Eric has made a deal to stow away two runaway criminals because the ship’s only stop is at Fishbowl Island, where authorities don’t extradite wanted criminals to the United States.

Also integral to the story is Alvirah Meehan, a lottery winner and amateur sleuth. She’s on the cruise because of placing a winning bid on the cruise at a charitable auction. Because she placed such a high bid, she is offered, as a bonus for her generous contribution, the last two empty cabins for guests of her choice.

Although there’s a glimmer of hope at the beginning of the book as the storyline is set up, the book was a huge disappointment to me. It was boring and predictable with too many coincidences and unbelievable parts.

For example, how believable is it to have Alvirah jump off the ship to escape criminals, but not hurt herself. Granted the ship wasn’t moving at the time, but she was still jumping into an ocean from the deck of a ship, had already been injured and was recovering, and isn’t exactly a spring chicken. A jump like that could easily injure a young, healthy person.

I don’t recommend the book. If you feel you must read it, borrow it from your local library. Don’t waste your money on it.

My rating (0-10 smilies): 1 ☻☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺