The third novel in the rapid reads series finds RCMP sergeant Ray Robertson in the Turks and Caicos Islands on a two-week vacation with his wife. Robertson spots a body bobbing in the surf one morning and when he pulls it to shore finds the victim was stabbed. He recognizes the victim as a young Haitian police officer whose graduation from the police academy he had attended recently.

The racial subplot evident in “Blood and Belonging” that marred the first two offerings in this series also present here. The native responding officer believes that the victim fell off a refugee boat from Haiti. When told the victim was murdered, he spat on the ground and responds, “No loss to anyone. … Happens all the time. … Saves us the trouble.” The White Canadian police officer and White Canadian paramedic who responded to the call had to set him straight.

Admittedly, the racism in this book is muted when compared to the first two books in the series. Detective John Summerton is depicted as competent and conscientious and the native officers are described as eager to learn, keen to make a difference with a genuine love for their country and a firm dedication to the job. Those attributes were absent in the native police officers and trainees in “Juba Good” and “Haitian Graves.”

Unfortunately, Sergeant Robertson turns out to be an indifferent husband. He has been on assignment for three years now with his wife left behind in Canada. This two-week vacation appears to be the most time they have had together during that period, but Robertson preference for investigating the murder instead of spending time with his wife is disappointing. Delany “tells” readers that Robertson loves his wife and values his marriage, but she “shows” readers his lack of commitment.

Perhaps the final indignity is that the book just ends. The murderer is never identified and indeed, no one seems to even make an effort to do so. Apparently, Delany just got tired of writing the book and quit. ( )

RCMP officer Ray Robertson is enjoying a well-earned vacation on Grand Turk island with his wife. Duty catches up with him when he finds a lifeless body on the beach one morning and realizes he has a connection with the victim.

This is an easy short read, good for an afternoon at the beach. The story is well paced, packing just enough social and personal drama mixed up with a little action to grapple the reader. ( )

When I received my copy of this book I discovered that this is the third in a series about the detective. I decided since the books were not short (I have received other Rapid Reads books)that I would start at the beginning. Not all of the Rapid Reads are that
well written but this was by far the best series I have read from this publisher. Ms. Delany writes wonderfully, it's a brief book but
a very interesting mystery and the main Gumshoe is not obnoxious or overly macho. The other part that is so interesting about this
series is that it introduces us to parts of the world that we may not be as familiar with. The first book in the series takes place in the
South Sudan, and it is fascinating the way the author introduces us to the very corrupt and very depressed culture there. The second
book takes place in Haiti and again we learn about the ways the police force operates there, the corruption and the terrible poverty of
the local people who have had to deal with a terrible earth quake. The third book, and the one I was sent to review for this site, deals
with a series of islands that are supposed to be akin to paradise. Again the mystery is connected to a social catastrophe-the illegal
smuggling of foreigners trying to get to North America. The conditions that these people endure are harrowing, there is a scene
where an entire boat load of refugees drown, and again I learned a great deal about the problems and the history of the area.
Vicki Delany is a wonderful, sensitive writer and I definitely look forward to checking out more of her work. I also hope she continues
with this series because I found her writing clear and the plot completely engaging. ( )

A quick read for mystery lovers. Pretty intense theme of human trafficking along with the central character's pull between duty and marriage. Personally, I think both could have profited from greater expansion, but of course that would have entailed a longer read. It serves as a little red flag waving about a huge problem in the world that too many of us ignore. Rapid read... but not simplistic. ( )

Received thru LT Early Re. Third book of hers I've read and enjoyed it as much as the other 2. These are short stories, but always entertaining. Would definitely recommend. ( )