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    Blue Water Hues: An Ashley Grant Mystery
    Blue Water Hues: An Ashley Grant Mystery
    Blue Water Hues: An Ashley Grant Mystery
    Ebook96 pages1 hour

    Blue Water Hues: An Ashley Grant Mystery

    By Vicki Delany

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    Paramedic Ashley Grant is settling into her new life in the Caribbean, although sometimes she still feels like a fish out of water. The ambulance is called to a fire at a prestigious resort, and Ashley recognizes the victim as a hotel chef and the cousin of her friend Darlene. When a second death occurs, the police are quick to close the case. But Darlene isn't satisfied, and she drags the unwitting Ashley into the investigation. Does this idyllic beach resort have a dark side?

    Blue Water Hues is the second book in the Ashley Grant Mystery series.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherOrca Book Publishers
    Release dateAug 28, 2018
    ISBN9781459818033
    Blue Water Hues: An Ashley Grant Mystery
    Author

    Vicki Delany

    Vicki Delany is one of Canada’s most prolific and varied crime writers and a national bestseller in the United States. She has written more than 30 books: from clever cozies to Gothic thrillers, gritty police procedurals to historical fiction and seven novellas in the Rapid Reads line. She writes the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series, the Year Round Christmas mysteries and under the pen name of Eva Gates, the Lighthouse Library series. Vicki is the past president of Crime Writers of Canada. Her work has been nominated for the Derringer, Bony Blithe, Golden Oak, and Arthur Ellis Awards. She lives in Prince Edward County, Ontario.

    Read more from Vicki Delany

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    Reviews for Blue Water Hues

    4/5

    22 ratings10 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Thanks to Orca Book Publishers and LibraryThing for providing an advance reading copy of this book. The views expressed are my own.This is a novella length cozy mystery story set in the Caribbean. It one of the Rapid Reads series of short stories written by leading Canadian crime fiction authors.The story is narrated by Ashley Grant, a Canadian paramedic who is working in the Victoria and Albert Islands. in the Caribbean. She misses Canada and is treating her time in the Caribbean as only a temporary assignment. The story begins with Ashley and her paramedic partner responding to a fire alarm at the island's swankiest resort hotel. Unfortunately a hotel worker dies of smoke inhalation from the fire. Shortly after this, the body of her abusive boyfriend is found, an apparent suicide. The police close their investigations, rather too quickly for many of the locals. Ashley and her landlady (who is a cousin of the dead kitchen worker) begin to ask questions about some suspicious activity at the resort. Their activity leads to some tense confrontations at the resort, and the brakes on their car are tampered with. They narrowly escape from serious harm and the police re-open their investigations.It's a well-plotted mystery set in an exotic location. There's some social commentary: how corruption and greed exist everywhere. It's easy to read without being simplistic and has a satisfying ending. A worthy addition to the Rapid Reads series.
    • 4/5
      Blue Water Hues by well known Canadian author Vicki Delaney is her second book about Ashley Grant and her life in the Caribbean. Vicki Delaney has contributed several books to the Rapid Reads series aimed at an adult audience with a limited reading level. Ashley is settling into life as a paramedic and finds herself involved in a murder investigation after a fire in a hotel kitchen kills one of the chefs. Her friend convinces her that her relative, the chef, would never have been so negligent and is convinced the fire was no accident. Ashley agrees to investigate. The plot is absorbing and fast moving. This book is an excellent addition to the Rapid Reads series.
    • 4/5
      Canadian Ashley Grant is working as an EMT in the Caribbean. She and her partner are called to a kitchen fire at a luxury hotel, where they assist a couple of the kitchen staff. Unfortunately the chef was overcome by smoke and perished in the fire. She was related to Darlene, the office manager of the hotel where Ashley lives. The police investigation is closed after a second death seems to explain everything. However, Darlene suspects there is more to her cousin's death than the investigation uncovered, and she asks Ashley to help her dig deeper.The Ashley Grant mysteries are part of the Rapid Reads series of high interest/low level books for an adult audience. These are truly rapid reads. I read the entire book during a salon appointment while sipping a glass of white peach tea lemonade. The drink lasted longer than the book. The plot is complicated enough to keep readers guessing, but without a lot of red herrings that would lengthen the story. The book has a strong sense of place on a fictional Caribbean island. The Rapid Reads books seem to be more plot driven than the average cozy, and the secondary characters are somewhat underdeveloped as a result.This review is based on an advance reading copy provided by the publisher through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program.
    • 3/5
      I really need to look more closely, and stop requesting these Rapid Reads. I'm just not the right audience. That said, for such a short book, it was well-written and the story was interesting. I can see why the author gets good reviews, and for the right audience (especially new readers or those learning English) this would be a good choice.
    • 5/5
      Ashley Grant is settling into her work as a paramedic on the Caribbean Island of Victoria and Albert, when she is called to a fire at a resort on the island. When someone dies in the fire it seems to be an unfortunate accident but the victim’s family insists otherwise. When a second victim turns up, Ashley finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. Who said life at a beach resort was calm?“Blue Water Hues” is the very enjoyable second book in Vicki Delany’s Ashley Grant mystery series. Perhaps it is because this book takes place in the Caribbean but I feel this book is the quintessential beach read – quiet, light, engrossing, a bit of fun. Delany does an excellent job with the setting. I felt like I was there with Ashley as she was working, at the beach, sitting by the pool, dining at various restaurants, even on harrowing car rides. The mystery is nicely done – this is a slim book but the mystery itself is not slight. Granted, it is pretty easy to figure out who the killer is but there are still a few surprises in the book and a real sense of danger that will keep readers turning the pages.“Blue Water Hues” is a nicely done mystery.
    • 3/5
      This was an early reviewer free book, thank you.I have to say I wa disappointed in this book. Because the author bio said she had won several awards I guess I expected more.First, it wasnso short I’d call it a short story rather than a book- am surprised it was presented a a book. Took me an hour to read.Second, although it was written well and it flowed along smoothly, the story itself left much to be desired- maybe because it just was hardly a mystery.I think the story was under-developed, too simplistic for my taste.
    • 4/5
      The paramedics on the Caribbean Victoria and Albert Islands receive a call to a fire at a beach resort. They treat a couple of persons for smoke inhalation before assisting in the recovery of a body. The investigation rules the fire arson. Soon the victim's boyfriend is found dead of a gunshot wound which is too quickly ruled as self-inflicted because of a printed suicide note. Police Sergeant Alan Westbrook knows the investigation was likely closed too quickly, probably due to influence from political officeholders with interests in the resort. Darlene, the hotel manager where paramedic Ashley Grant resides, wants to see justice for the person who killed her relative and enlists Ashley's assistance. With the help of a hotel employee, it finally reaches a solution. This is part of the Rapid Reads collection. As such, the plot is less developed than in some. In some ways this story really needed to be a little longer because it felt some points were rushed or glossed over, needing further development. Still it will provide an enjoyable mystery jaunt for those with limited time for reading. This review is based on an advance reading copy provided through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program in exchange for an honest review.
    • 5/5
      A Rapid Reads Orca Book, advance reading copy (ARC)Well, this book certainly starts with an attention-getter! A very new, very high class inn is up in smoke. That got my attention. What is going on with this beautiful resort in such an amazing location? It's a good thing the newly located Canadian, Ashley Grant, is a paramedic and already on the job. Ashley has just moved from Toronto, Ontario to Victoria and Albert Islands in the Caribbean, what an adjustment! Fortunately the country is outfitted with a firefighter, an ambulance driver and a police office, in other words, your standard very small country or county town service people, because they are going to be utilizing all three in this book. In the meantime, though discovered to be arson, the fire was quickly contained, mostly smoke, and the resort is mostly open. Yet, why arson? What could be the reason, or the attempt in the first place. Is there yet more going on in this the story?This is the second Ashley Grant Mystery, I'll sure try to read the first, I suspect it would be quite different. But back to the Caribbean and the fire, it doesn't take long for Ashley to be asking questions with a death from the fire and a puzzling second death that evening, which oddly appears related...or is it? Will there be more? Well, maybe a near-miss, possibly attempted murder.I enjoy the interactions with the local people especially in small locations. Often there will be some opinionated, some caring, some murderous. It surprises me that Ashley has so many phobias yet goes to live where she will find herself trying to avoid them. Perhaps that is one of the reasons for her move, to get past her phobias. I enjoyed this book, so descriptive, making me long for a trip to the Caribbean.
    • 5/5
      A delightful book about paramedic Ashley Grant and her adventures in helping solve crimes on a beautiful Caribbean island. A quick, but interesting read with a great story line and great characters. I recommend this book to all, even those with a short attention span.
    • 4/5
      Ashley Grant, the main character in Vicki Delany's "Blue Water Hues," is a Canadian para-medic working at the Victoria and Albert Islands Health Services. She and her partner Simon are called to a kitchen fire at a high class beach resort, where they treat two staff for smoke inhalation and a third person, the chef, is rushed to the hospital but dies en route.A second call out later the same day is for a gunshot wound and the man dies on the way to the hospital. Police call it a suicide. Ashley learns he was the boyfriend of the woman who died at the hotel and is asked by a member of the chef's family to investigate when the police close the case. The police take it more seriously when Ashley and Darlene nearly die when the car brakes are cut after they were asking questions at the resort. Their information helps lead to the police solution of the case.This is a short mystery part of the Rapid Reads series published by Orca Book Publishers for literacy programs. It has good character development and sets out the two sides of life on the island, those who live there and do the support work and those who come from away and see only the surface behaviour of the islanders as they interact with the tourists and people who hold the power. But I found the investigation of the plot to be to condensed to support the murder and attempted murders and the tie in to the resort weak. I have read twenty Rapid Reads, including seven by Vicki Delany and this misses the quality mark set by them. I enjoyed reading the mystery it is just not as good as the other Rapid Reads I have read.I received this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.⭐️⭐️⭐️1/4Reviewed July 13, 2018.

    Book preview

    Blue Water Hues - Vicki Delany

    ONE

    ONE

    BY THE TIME we arrived, there wasn’t much we could do.

    Thick black smoke billowed out of the windows. Firefighters aimed their hoses at the charred and blackened building. No flames were visible, just a lot of smoke. Guests and staff milled about. Some were curious. Some wanted to help.

    Looks bad, Simon, my driver, said as he parked the ambulance next to a fire truck.

    Yeah. I leapt out and grabbed my bag.

    A firefighter stood next to two people sitting on the grass. Blankets were thrown over their shoulders, although the day was hot. He gave me a shout and a wave. I trotted quickly over and crouched beside them. A man and a woman, both in their late twenties. He wore the uniform of the hotel’s wait staff, and she was in a cook’s striped gray pants and white shirt. They looked at me through watery, red eyes. He blew his nose, and she coughed.

    Looks like you swallowed some smoke, I said. We’ll get you to the hospital.

    He shook his head. I’m okay.

    She nodded. Me too. She coughed again.

    Why don’t I check you out? I said. And then we can decide.

    They nodded, and I set up my equipment. I performed some routine checks. Pulse, heart rate. All seemed okay.

    The woman coughed.

    How about if I give you some oxygen? Get your breathing back in shape.

    Okay, the man said.

    What are your names? I asked.

    I’m Edward, and this is Marilee.

    Nice to meet you, I said. I’d taken a quick glance at the scene when we first arrived. No one else seemed in need of my help. Was it only the two of you in there when the fire started?

    They exchanged glances. Marilee’s voice shook. Rhonda might have been inside. I saw her earlier and then…not.

    She must have gotten out the other door. Edward’s voice was rough with smoke.

    Why don’t I find out? I pushed myself to my feet. Wait here for the oxygen.

    A woman in the neat uniform of theVictoria and Albert police moved through the crowd. Hotel staff asked people to clear the area. No one moved. Simon leaned against a royal palm, chatting to a man. I joined them. Those two should go to the hospital, but they don’t want to. Give them some oxygen, please, Simon. I’ll see if anyone else needs us.

    Simon nodded and quickly headed to the ambulance.

    I turned to the other man. He wore crisp blue trousers and a pale-blue golf shirt with the hotel logo on it. Did the fire start in the kitchen? I asked him.

    Yeah. Cooking accident maybe. His English accent was strong. I’mTrevor Bellings. I manage most of the food-service operations here.

    We shook hands. Ashley Grant. Who’s Rhonda? They say she might have been inside.

    Chef, he said. She would have been starting dinner prep. Maybe she went out another way.

    Let’s hope, I said.

    At that moment the firefighters began rolling up their hoses. I trotted over to where the chief was standing with a couple of hotel staff. Any news on anyone else?

    His face was grim. Looks like everyone got out but one. They think someone might have been trapped inside.

    I grimaced.

    Bad business, a man said.

    We’re going in now, the chief said.

    I waited by the red ambulance while Simon gave oxygen to the two workers. They repeated that they didn’t need to go to the hospital. As they spoke, they glanced at Trevor Bellings out of the corner of their eyes. It looked like they were afraid to ask for the time off work.

    Hotel security tried to keep people away, but a crowd was gathering. People came up from the beach or the pool or out of the main building. Most of them were dressed for a tropical vacation. Bathing suits and sun hats, or shorts and T-shirts. One man — his huge round belly turning a bright pink — carried a colorful drink with a paper umbrella in it. Most employees wore navy-blue shirts with white trim and dark pants or skirts. In the distance the hot sun sparkled on calm blue water. Palm leaves and beach umbrellas stirred in the light breeze. Another perfect day in paradise. But the mood here was anything but festive.

    We were at the Blue Water Vista Resort, one of the nicest hotels on Grand Victoria Island. The resort was less than a year old. It sat at the top of the island’s only hill. I’d seen the view as we drove up the steep cliff, and it was spectacular.

    My name’s Ashley Grant. I work for Victoria and Albert Islands Health Services as a paramedic. I’ve been here for only a few weeks, and I’m still trying to find my way around island life. I don’t know many people yet, but I spotted a familiar figure crossing the lawn.

    Police sergeant Alan Westbrook gave me a nod and said, Hi, Ashley.

    What brings you here? I asked.

    He pointed toward the smoldering building. This might not be a simple kitchen accident. I’m waiting for the all clear to go in and poke around.

    Are you a trained arson investigator?

    He grinned. No. But I’m what the V&A police have.

    And we make do, I said. I’d learned that rule the moment I first arrived on the island. The driver who was sent to meet my flight came in the island’s only ambulance. He’d gotten a call, and I’d started work before I’d even seen my new home or unpacked.

    We turned at a shout. Two firefighters were carrying something out of the building.

    The crowd murmured. An elderly man took off his ballcap. A woman in a housekeeper’s uniform crossed herself, and another began to cry. Trevor’s face was grim.

    Alan and I ran toward the firefighters. They had, as I’d feared, found a body. They laid her on the ground, and I knelt beside her. She wore a chef ’s uniform, the name Rhonda neatly sewn above the Blue Water Vista logo.

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