I haven’t read any Agatha Christie, but I know Robin is a big fan and that this is at least in part something of a tribute to Christie’s Death on the Nile, so I suspect for those who have read that there’ll be plenty of easter eggs to find. Regardless of whether or not you get the Death on the Nile references though, this is an absolutely brilliant murder mystery in its own right. As you’d expect if you’ve been following the series. The setting is richly described and I loved the way its ‘foreign-ness’ took us back to Daisy’s trip to Hong Kong with Hazel in a Spoonful of Murder. Their differing reactions to the mummies (and the offer of a mummified finger or two!) was wonderfully in keeping with their characters and friendship. I also thought Amina’s annoyance at the misunderstanding, exploitation and downright disrespect of her home and culture was a great point of view to bring to the book. The gloriously ridiculous but believable ‘cult’ The Breath of Life who all believe they are white British reincarnations of Pharaohs are an absolutely stellar cast of suspects. Each suspicious and dislikable on their own awful ways and hilarious together – their ritual especially is utterly brilliant to ‘watch’. Joining Hazel and Daisy on board are Hazel’s father and little sisters. May is just a joy to read – a mischievous, bold future detective in the making, and there’s some wonderfully touching moments between Hazel and her father too. The Junior Pinkertons, George and Alexander are also booked on the cruise – entirely by coincidence of course and nothing whatsoever to do with Hazel!) and I love that our final Detective Society case is shared with them. Daisy and George’s bickering is as funny as ever, and as for Hazel and Alexander… As ever there are plenty of red herrings and twists in the solving of the case. I’m always, a bit rubbish at working them out and I definitely didn’t see this one coming! There is of course one other enormous elephant in the room review for anyone who’s read the blurb – “only one of the Detective Society will make it home alive”! And you’ll get absolutely nothing about that out of me except that it makes for an inspired, emotional and perfectly fitting end to the series. This was as funny, warm and clever as we’ve come to expect from Robin’s Murder Most Unladylike series. Daisy and Hazel were both on top form, but it was also clear how they’d grown since their first case. This is a series I love to recommend, enthuse about and discuss at work and this is an absolute triumph of a finale.

Thank you for this early review copy, it was a very exciting moment to have this land on the doormat yesterday - so obviously it jumped straight to the top of the pile and I stayed up until about midnight to finish it! No spoilers from me, all I will say is that you will 'sail' through this book at quite a pace, the tension is high, the plot is fantastic. The characters that we have all met are brilliant in everyway! I recommend the entire series (ideally read in order - but it is not completely essential) So dive in now! Perfect for 8 years to 188 years... (I cannot wait to see what Robin writes next... I'm ready to preorder)

You need to care about the two main characters before you read this book, otherwise you just will not catch the feelings involved. I'd suggest reading all other eight books in the Murder Most Unladylike Series first , but this book will work if you've only read a few. As with all the books in the Series, the plot and characters are cleverly woven to keep you guessing. Hazel Wong's younger sisters become real characters this time around. The group of suspects are a bit "crackpot" this time around. At times the book is scary, sad and uplifting. My 11-year old lad read the second half in about 24 hours - he just couldn't put it down.

This is the 9th & final book in the series, & it is definitely now 1 of my all time top favorite series. Historical fiction, detective style mystery MG at its finest. Incredible characters AND side characters, superb writing/story telling, changing locations that are each so atmospheric, new murder mysteries each book that are each more gripping & thrilling than the last, with also a whole new incredible cast of suspects each time..but most of all the friendship of a Miss Hazel Wong & Miss Daisy Wells..the growth of their friendship over the course of the series is truly a beautiful thing. They have such different personalities, but they truly need each other, & make the other better. They are the best team, & couldn’t do this without the other. Can’t say much, but I was so nervous the whole book because of how it started lol, but it was just incredibly done, & I shouldn’t have worried. What a way to go out with a bang! Love how everything wrapped up, & I was so happy for these girls & their future. HIGHLY recommend! Beautiful cover by Nina Tara too.

Spoiler free review. Death Comes to Sail is, in many ways, a love letter: to the murdery mystery genre, to Agatha Christie, to readers, and, most of all, to its heroines. It takes you on an emotional rollercoaster, and I was grateful for the ride. The mystery itself is probably the best constructed of the series and it really did feel like reading a Golden Age Crime novel - it kept me up until the small hours of night, like only the best books can, and it still surprised me at every twist. Hazel's emotional journey was also fascinating - she's grown up, and whilst she realizes that she /is/ a heroine in her own right with or without Daisy...she /wants/ to be with Daisy. That's such a lovely place to end this series: Hazel has found herself, and that allows her to truly choose Daisy. I cry!