Cruises, Cocktails, and Corpses:
(A Taryn O'Kelly Mystery)
by Michelle L. Clifton
About Cruises, Cocktails, and Corpses
Cruises, Cocktails, and Corpses: (A Taryn O'Kelly Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in the Series
Setting - On Board a cruise ship and Cartagena, Colombia
Publisher : Salty Inspirations
(April 8, 2025)
Hardcover : 277 pages
ISBN-13 : 979-8990881730
Publisher : Salty Inspirations
(April 8, 2025)
Language : English
Paperback : 277 pages
ISBN-13 : 979-8990881747
Digital ASIN : B0F3Z14WPJ
Trapped in a sinister plot with a vengeful drug cartel is a killer vacation.Taryn wanted sun, cocktails, and relaxation. Instead, she and Alex found themselves tangled in yet another deadly puzzle.
After months of chaos and a near-death experience, Taryn and Alex are desperate for a break. A romantic cruise seems like the perfect escape. Adventurous excursions, tropical drinks, and uninterrupted passion. But their dream vacation takes a dark turn when a danger from the past resurfaces, and bodies start piling up.
Trapped in the middle of a sinister plot, Taryn must unravel the mystery before the killer strikes again. With a vengeful drug cartel lurking in the shadows, the stakes are higher than ever. Will Taryn’s sharp instincts be enough to outmaneuver the enemy, or will their dream getaway become a deadly nightmare?
Fans of Janet Evanovich and rom-cozy mysteries will love this fast-paced escape filled with murder, romance, and laugh-out-loud moments.
Cruises, Cocktails, and Corpses is the second book in the Taryn O’Kelly Mystery series—but it can be read as a standalone. Perfect for readers who love strong female sleuths, tropical twists, and a splash of snark.
‛The other guests were fleeing the scene with their drinks still in their hands. At $10 a drink, you can’t waste those babies.’
‛That man needed coffee or something. Good grief, I barely touched him. He should not have been standing so close to my door. What right did he have to stare me down? Beginning to feel annoyed with the encounter, I took a moment to breathe and tell myself this was not worth my energy. He can not control my feelings or my day.’
‛I had never been so happy to see them standing together. My heart leaped; no one had been snatched or killed. Yay! What has my life come to?’
‛The ECS team did not want to panic the other passengers. Probably to keep the appearance that cruising is safe and people don’t die.’
“Who said anything about wasting it? If I am going to die, I am not going down without my drink. I’ll finish it. To justice!” She gulped the Aguardiente and coughed again. “It burns,” she wheezed.
Sip Into Vacation Mode with An Amaretto Sour (and a Margarita!) Inspired by Cruises, Cocktails, and Corpses (For Deal Sharing Aunt)
There’s something magical about the first sip of a cold cocktail on vacation. The sun kissing your skin, the music in the background, and a sense that at least for a little while life has hit pause on all the chaos. That feeling was exactly what I wanted to capture while writing Cruises, Cocktails, and Corpses, the second book in my Taryn O’Kelly mystery series.
Taryn and her boyfriend, Alex, take a much-needed getaway cruise, hoping to leave stress and danger behind. Of course, in true cozy mystery fashion, murder isn’t far behind. But before the bodies start stacking up, there's a peaceful, perfect moment: a sunny afternoon, a speakeasy-themed lounge, and two drinks that set the tone for relaxation.
In one of my favorite scenes, Taryn orders an Amaretto Sour:
The lounge was decorated like a 1920s speakeasy, and light jazz was playing over the sound system. Our bartender was dressed like a flapper girl, her long dark hair pinned back with a feathered clip.
I ordered an amaretto sour, Alex a margarita on the rocks without salt, and a plate of nachos to share.
We took our drinks and snacks to the outdoor seating. I could not get over how wonderful the sun felt on my skin, and how beautiful the flowers and the palm trees were.
“Thank you for bringing me here,” I said. I didn’t want this moment to end. “It’s so peaceful and stress-free.”
That moment of pure peace and gratitude is one I think we all crave, whether we're on a cruise ship or curled up at home with a good book.
Today, I’m sharing Taryn’s drink of choice. A simple, satisfying Amaretto Sour you can whip up anytime you need a mental getaway. And, because great moments are even better when shared, I’m also including Alex’s order: a classic Margarita on the rocks.
Taryn’s Vacation-Ready Amaretto Sour
Ingredients:
• 1 ½ ounces Amaretto liqueur
• ¾ ounce Irish whiskey
• 1 ounce Natalie’s Margarita Mix
•
No margarita mix on hand? No problem! You can substitute:
• 1 ounce fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon water
•
Instructions:
1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add the Amaretto, Irish whiskey, and margarita mix (or the lime juice/maple syrup/water combo).
3. Shake well until chilled.
4. Strain into a rock glass filled with fresh ice.
5. Garnish with a slice of lime or a maraschino cherry, if you like.
Alex’s Classic Margarita on the Rocks (No Salt!)
Ingredients:
• 2 ounces tequila
• 1 ounce triple sec
• 1 ounce margarita mix (or substitute 1 ounce fresh lime juice + 1 teaspoon maple syrup + 1 teaspoon water)
•
Instructions:
1. Fill a rocks glass with ice.
2. Add the tequila and margarita mix.
3. Stir gently to combine.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge, if desired.
(And if you like your margaritas salty, feel free to rim your glass with salt before pouring!)
Why did I choose these cocktails?
The Amaretto Sour is one of those drinks that’s deceptively simple but feels luxurious, just like Taryn’s unexpected escape. The sweetness of the Amaretto, the slight bite of the whiskey, and the citrus zing from the margarita mix (or fresh lime) come together in a way that’s relaxing yet lively, much like the cruise that kicks off all the action in Cruises, Cocktails, and Corpses.
Alex’s margarita, on the other hand, is clean, classic, and a little bolder, perfect for a character who is Taryn’s steady anchor in an unpredictable world.
Together, these two cocktails capture a perfect vacation afternoon: a little sweetness, a little kick, and someone you love to share it with.
Whether you're solving mysteries together or simply savoring the sunshine, the right drink (and the right company) can turn an ordinary afternoon into a memory worth holding onto.
Make It a Cozy Reading Night
If you’re planning a weekend staycation or just a cozy night at home, why not go full Taryn-and-Alex mode?
• Make a batch of nachos to snack on.
• Play some light jazz in the background.
• Pour yourself an Amaretto Sour or a Margarita (or one of each if you're feeling adventurous!).
• Curl up with your favorite cozy mystery (or grab Cruises, Cocktails, and Corpses if you're ready for murder on the high seas).
In no time, you’ll be transported to sunny skies, sparkling oceans, and a mystery you can savor sip by sip.
About Michelle L. Clifton
Michelle L. Clifton is the author of the Taryn O’Kelly series, which mixes laugh-out-loud humor, steamy romance, and gripping mysteries. Her books are perfect for fans of Janet Evanovich, offering a modern twist on cozy mysteries with amateur sleuth Taryn O’Kelly at the helm.
Michelle was raised in Southwest Colorado in the great valleys of the Rocky Mountains. There she married the love of her life and raised two beautiful kids, a cat, two dogs, and chickens! She has worked in the dental field, dance and theater industry, athletics, and event coordinating. She created Salty Inspirations to pursue her passion for writing.
However, her favorite job is being MOM. Her family made a major move to Cape Coral, Florida, just in time for Hurricane Ian. When not crafting tales of intrigue, Michelle can be found spending time with her family hiking and camping in Colorado and boating and beaching in Florida. Oh! And writing of course!
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Thanks for letting me share one of my favorite drinks! This cocktail is a little sweet and bold, just like Taryn. What’s your signature sip?
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