G'Day to Die

A Passport to Peril Mystery

By: Maddy Hunter

Narrated by: Kathleen McInerney

When Emily Andrew lands in the Land of Oz - Australia, that is - she and her hearty group of world-touring seniors know they're not in Iowa anymore. Winter is summer, drains drain counterclockwise, and all the comforts of home are, well, back home. Even Emily's love life is upside down: Her darling detective Etienne Miceli has yet to propose, while gorgeous tour director Duncan Lazarus is vying to be more than just mates.

Emily is preoccupied calming the group's jitters about the outback's killers, from sunstroke to snake bites. But when a fellow traveler turns up dead, Emily fears something far more toxic has struck: Human greed. Someone has stumbled upon a natural wonder that could turn science on its head - was this priceless discovery the catalyst for murder? Before the dust settles, a second untimely death occurs. If Emily can't stop a killer in their tracks, this Aussie adventure just may be her last.

©2006 Mary Mayer Holmes (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Good listen

Love the narrator. Clever story line. Was nice to have a book without the dramatics of the Jackie Thumb character.

Funny and Entertaining

This was a funny and entertaining book. I enjoyed the adventures Emily and her elderly charges. It was quick paced and lots of twists and turns. Very enjoyable!

Not going to offend you

These are fine modern mysteries in a modified cozy style. There is no sex (except between Nana and George, and that's only "off stage"), and the main character is silly but likable. My main complaint is that, although each of the books is set in a different location, the sense of place is very weak in the novels.

It seems to me that the author has likely traveled to these places and then written about it, but as a reader you are not going to get a feeling that you have "seen" any of these countries. In fact, in the first book the scenery is nearly always covered in fog.

Also, the books have a bit of product placement in them: Ziplock Bags, M&M's/Skittles, different types of cameras and film, and a few other name brand products get a plug. If it's not a paid advertisement, it should be. All-in-all, though, I like the books in the series. Listen to them in order (I'm writing this review on book 5, but it applies equally to all the books). The last one was written in 2013 and I'm doubtful we'll see another.