Joan Merrill — Writer and Producer

"Joan Merrill's lead character, private investigator Casey McKie, returns in a sequel to And All That Murder (reviewed January 2011). This time, Casey is taking a vacation aboard a jazz cruise ship in the Caribbean. Her good friend, jazz singer Dee Jefferson, is one of the star attractions and other performers include up and coming jazzmen alongside veterans of the long ago King Basington band.

The disappearance of a mysterious and very rich jazz-loving countess has the ship's captain seeking Casey's help in finding out just what is going on without alarming the other passengers. Casey is only too happy to oblige and soon discovers that many of those on board, jazz fans and jazz musicians, have secrets.

As in her previous book, Merrill brings a sharp-eyed insider's attention to the jazz world. The King Basington band bears more than a passing resemblance to the Count Basie band and the fictional veterans on board will spark individual memories of real stars of yesteryear in many jazz-minded readers.

This time out, the author is a little less immersed in the jazz world, something that should broaden her appeal, although there is still an ample helping of that element to allow her to retain her appeal to jazz fans. There are many pitfalls confronting a first-time author attempting a second book with a continuing character and Merrill successfully negotiates them. Hopefully, Casey McKie will be back for another adventure before too long."

- Bruce Crowther, Jazz Journal