Rum Luck

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Pub Date 22 Jun 2016 | Archive Date 07 Oct 2016

Description

Ben Cooper was supposed to be off on his Pacific honeymoon. Not waking up in a Costa Rican prison cell with no memory of the night before.

Then again, Ben never thought he would catch his fiancée with some clown—literally. Or that his friend Miguel would drag him to the surf paradise of Tamarindo before Aunt Mildred could ask why they cancelled the open bar reception.

But surely his friend and lawyer Victoria didn’t need to fly down from Toronto overnight. After all, the police would let him go once he sobered up and paid his fine. Right?

Except for the little matter of a murder. And Ben’s buying a beachside bar from the victim, hours before the man’s death.

With foreclosure looming and death threats piling up on the rum-soaked bar, Ben and his friends must turn to the wild idea that got them into this mess—building a business around those who’ve always wanted to run their own bar on a beach somewhere, even for just a week.

But to survive, they’ll need every skill at their disposal—including those they’d rather forget they have.

Ben Cooper was supposed to be off on his Pacific honeymoon. Not waking up in a Costa Rican prison cell with no memory of the night before.

Then again, Ben never thought he would catch his fiancée with...


A Note From the Publisher

Ryan Aldred is the author of the Bar on a Beach Mystery series. When not writing, Ryan runs a small Canadian charity that supports education in Afghanistan, Tanzania, Uganda, and other at-risk regions. He previously worked as a defense analyst and continues to serve as a Sergeant in the Canadian Forces Reserve. Ryan and his family live in beautiful Prince Edward County, Canada. He’s never met a beach he doesn’t like.

Ryan Aldred is the author of the Bar on a Beach Mystery series. When not writing, Ryan runs a small Canadian charity that supports education in Afghanistan, Tanzania, Uganda, and other at-risk...


Advance Praise

“Ryan Aldred has crafted a clever fast-moving mystery with a marvelous setting that is alternately charming, funny, and deadly serious.”
—Vicki Delany (aka Eva Gates), author of the Lighthouse Library Series


“Aldred has the touch. Rum Luck is magical and works on so many levels.”
—Garry Ryan, author of the Detective Lane Mysteries

“Ryan Aldred has crafted a clever fast-moving mystery with a marvelous setting that is alternately charming, funny, and deadly serious.”
—Vicki Delany (aka Eva Gates), author of the Lighthouse...


Marketing Plan

We are seeking reviews to be published via media outlets, retailers (Amazon or similar), goodreads and book blogs.

Ryan Aldred is available for interviews upon request.

We are seeking reviews to be published via media outlets, retailers (Amazon or similar), goodreads and book blogs.

Ryan Aldred is available for interviews upon request.


Available Editions

EDITION Hardcover
ISBN 9781432831899
PRICE $25.95 (USD)

Average rating from 48 members


Featured Reviews

Ben Cooper woke up in a jail in Costa Rica, unconsciously about the latest night, and it appears he bought a bar on the beach, and the previous owner was murdered. Sounds like a good base for a crime, a light story to read during a holiday. And it is, a good-mood plot played mostly in the bar, which is a perfect scene for investigating a murder, conversations, and of course, dancing…

Basically as a crime, Rum luck lacks all the tension: there’s a slight threat around Ben and his friends, but eventually they always find the resolution for all their problems. It’s mainly around the money: Ben has spent all of his savings to buy the bar, so he needs help from his friends. And his friends gave him not just money, but all the skills Ben misses: Veronica is a strong-minded attorney with important contacts in the Costa Rica government, and as it incidentally came out, she’s an experienced disc-jockey too, who can boil the bar’s atmosphere in a minute… And Miguel, the other friend of Ben is incidentally a retired soldier from some harsh place of South America, who can solve any dangerous situation with or without a gun in his hands…

The book almost goes to a parody when Miguel’s aunt arrives, who would be a famous musician, but in the book he’s only a less humorous idiot, and it’s again too constrained when the actual crime could be solved only when Veronica proves to be a well-trained and well-equipped spy too…

But the mood, the atmosphere is very good throughout the book, it’s interesting to see how they can manage the bar: getting the booze, selling the booze, making the guests dance, and after a hard-working night resting peace on the beach. There’s some romance between the characters, and there are some clues for the investigation too. The characters and their behavior are real (except their unconstrained skill-set), so it’s an entertaining, light story, which could be a perfect read lying somewhere on a beach…

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Really enjoyed reading this book. Had just the right amount of humor and intrigue to keep it interesting and hard to put down. Wouldn't mind reading more if this became a series.

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A must read book to relax and laugh

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Ben Cooper was a man in a bind. Instead of being on his Costa Rican honeymoon, he was waking up in a prison cell with the worst hangover, being told he's now the not-so-proud owner of a bar and that he's being held as the prime suspect for the murder of the former bar owner!!

As Ben tries to get his muzzy head around the entire turn of events his buddy, Miguel comes to his aid along with the help of Ben's old college friend, Victoria, a savvy lawyer with "Daddy issues".

The three friends form an unlikely trio of detectives but, with the help of Ana, the bar waitress, Luis the busboy/cook/repairman, and Enrico, Miguel's famous bongo drumming uncle, they're hot on the trail of the real murderer...and some real cash money to keep the bar in business!!

Ryan Aldred's RUM LUCK is a murder mystery with a comedic twist that only adds to the whodunit fun. A true search for clues by the clueless!! I can see these characters becoming enmeshed in more hijinks in the future.

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What a great book, much better than I expected from the synopsis. Interesting characters, a pacy plot and plenty of humour thrown in. Give it a go!

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Who doesn't want to vacation in Costa Rica with three of your oldest friends and end up buying a bar and living the dream? Well, I have, but I don't want it to include the drug cartel, boyfriend stalkers, and crooked police! This book had all the elements that I was looking for. I loved it!

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Ben was getting married right up until the moment he found his fiance in bed with a clown. The only thing the clown had on was a painted face. That was enough to make Ben take off. His buddy talked him into going to Costa Rica so he'd be a long way from his troubles. It sounded like a good idea until he woke up in a Costa Rican prison cell...

Five Star Publications and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published June 22nd.

He's in jail because he's accused of murder. He can't remember the night before but he's sure he didn't murder anyone. He did get stinkin' drunk but why would he beat the bar owner to death? It's even stranger than that; he bought the bar that night. Why would he do that???

It's a good thing he's got Miguel with him. The first thing he did was call Victoria, a Toronto lawyer who is a good friend of Ben's. Ben will need friends before this is all sorted out.

It seems the bar owner was doing some underhanded little things there on the beach. The police were watching him and one detective had a personal interest in the case. He turns into a problem for Ben because he thinks Ben is guilty.

Ben and Miguel both find things about themselves before the end of the story. They each have more skills and fortitude than they thought. Everybody is becoming a partner with Ben in his business venture. And Victoria might be more than a friend, who knows?

There's lot of action, some very humorous moments, and this would make a great movie. I enjoyed the read and will be looking for more from this author.

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3 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in advance.

Ben Cooper wakes up in a Costa Rica jail. He was supposed to be on his honeymoon, not waking up in a cell. His honeymoon turned into a bachelor's getaway after his fiancée breaks his heart. So he takes the tickets and hotel reservations and uses them to drink away the pain with his friend Miguel in the surf town of Tamarindo. He wakes to see his lawyer friend, Victoria standing in front of him. Just how drunk did he get last night? Why did she have to fly all the way in from Toronto just to bail him out of a drunk and disorderly charge?

Ben soon learns that he is the lead suspect in the murder of the owner of a local bar. A bar that he purchased just hours before the previous owner wound up dead. Somewhere in his rum-soaked brain, he thought that it would be a great idea to buy a bar and then rent it out to other people who had always dreamed of owning a bar on a beautiful beach.

Between trying to beat the murder wrap and trying to keep the bar out of foreclosure (in which he would lose everything he put into it) they are also swept up in the mystery surrounding the death of the previous owner as well as trying to figure out who is trying to kill Ben and his friends. Death threats arrive, rental cars are vandalized and the bar is broken into and ransacked. And this is just the beginning! Ben and his friends need to figure out who is behind all of this before they end up losing the bar and their lives.

This book was really a fun romp through paradise. The main plot was great, guy wakes up in jail after a night of binge drinking to find out that he bought a bar and oh yeah, he's under suspicion of murder. I wished the characters were a little stronger and less stereotypical. There were also a lot of unnecessary threads involving the supporting characters that really didn't lend to the story and took away from it for me. I think if the focus had stayed more on Ben and the overall mystery of who really killed the owner, the book would have been stronger for it. But it was definitely a quick and enjoyable read.

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If you ever thought you'd like to run a bar at the beach, this might give you pause. A rollicking story of a drunken weekend that changes a few lives forever. Plenty of action, danger, camaraderie, loud music, money challenges and lasting friendship. Great read, especially for the summertime.

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Ben was supposed to be on his honeymoon in Costa Rican but when he found out his fiancée was cheating on him, he broke up with her and took Miguel, his best friend, on the trip instead. Then he wakes up in a Costa Rican jail with a massive hangover. Miguel had called Ben's friend, Victoria, who is a lawyer, to fly down to help him out. It seems that Ben had gotten drunk and had bought the bar he was drinking at (with the funds he and his fiancée were going to use as a down payment on a house) ... and then the owner was found murdered and Ben is the suspect. While the murder is sorted out, Ben, Miguel and Victoria have no option but to run the bar.

This is the debut novel by this author and I enjoyed it. I liked the writing style and found it humorous. I liked the characters and thought they worked well together. Ben is getting over a broken heart. Miguel is a bartender back in Toronto with a secret past. Victoria is a lawyer who surprisingly has other skills. I look forward to future books in what could be a fun series.

I thought it was a bit ironic that Ben "lives" just outside of Toronto and the author lives in PEI ... I started reading the book in Toronto (where I live) and finished it just before my flight to PEI today!

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Lots of action and plenty of humor to boot. A very entertaining summer book. Highly recommended. (Amazon reviewed).

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many thanks to Five Star Publishing and net galley for allowing me to review this book. ,I enjoyed this book. I think it was the first book for this author., it was a really nice mystery book, A good read and one to read anytime, especially on a cold winter day when it will take u away to Costa Rica. I found it had alot of suspense, humor, and mystery to it. I was quite surprised who the murderer turned out to be. I would read more books by the author for sure.. enjoy his writing style.

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What a fun, fast paced, funny book. Great mystery! I mean, who wouldnt want to be visiting gorgeous Costa Rica with friends and end up (in a drunken haze) buying a bar. This brings in a rollercoaster ride of stalkers, not so straight and narrow constabulary, stalkers... Who to trust? Which way to turn?

I loved this and can't wait to read more by the author! Definitely pick up a copy today!

*I'd like to thank the author/publisher/Netgalley for the opportunity to read the book in exchange for a fair and honest review*

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Rum Luck is a fun murder mystery with a cast of wacky characters. Thanks to NetGalley and Five Star Publishing for the advance copy.

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This book is silly and great fun and I liked it in spite of myself.

In a plot line straight out of any slacker film you can name, Ben Cooper wakes up after a night in a bar on a tropical beach with a pounding hangover and a signed bill of sale for the bar in his clutches. Do I need to mention that all of his money is gone? And that he is suspected of murder?

Round up the usual suspects: Best buddy, imperious lady lawyer, goofy uncle, sultry local bartender, and multiple bad guys.

Ben bumbles through and all comes right in the end, of course. Bring me a shot of tequila!

I received a review copy of "Rum Luck" by Ryan Aldred (Five Star) through NetGalley.com.

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When Ben's wedding is aborted, he and his friend Miguel fly to Costa Rica where the honeymoon was to have been a dream vacation. Little does he know it's a nightmare instead as he awakens in jail being accused of murder after drunkenly buying a bar on the beach. What transpires after is a delightful romp with mysteries, quirky, lovable characters, and humor that will leave you laughing out loud. Many twists and turns leave you guessing until the very end. I couldn't finish it quickly enough and hope there is a sequel! The only downside...it will leave you craving a Pina Colada every time you sit down to read!

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Rum Luck by Ryan Aldred was a fun and fast read, with a laugh out loud plot and characters you couldn't help but like. And, to top it off, the book was set on the beach in Costa Rica. It is the perfect beach read or "wish you were on the beach" read. I look forward to the next book!

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It a murder mystery with because no one deserves this much bad luck and on your honeymoon. This is actually a fast read and Clever plot with characters who have multiple skill sets and that you would never have guessed. The story doesn't drag along and if had the the right amount of humor and mystery

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light funny quick read with a quirky cast of characters and a decent mystery. The setup is a little out there but hey, it's a lot of peoples' dream life switch. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC- I'd like to see more from Aldred. You'll like this if you enjoy mysteries that don't want to be called cozies but don't take themselves seriously.

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I enjoyed this book much like I enjoy a frosty cold rum and Diet Coke. Refreshing and light, perfect for the beach, with not a chance of anything heavy to weigh me down. Funny and a little crude, with some predictable characters, just what I like to read when I don't want to think about anything! A happy hour of reading!

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Ben Cooper broke his engagement when he discovered his fiancé was cheating on him- with a clown. So he and his pal Miguel used the tickets for the honeymoon to fly from Toronto to Costa Rica. After a night of wild partying, Ben woke up in a local jail to discover himself the owner of a popular local bar and a suspect in the death of the longtime owner of that bar hours after he bought the bar.

So he called his pal, Victoria, a friend who was also a Toronto lawyer, to get him out of the jail. Victoria decided to spend some time in Costa Rica rather than return to cold Toronto right away. Ben, Miguel and Victoria had to learn how to operate a bar in the tropical paradise that was not profitable. Then they got the idea of selling ownership of the bar for one week to people who dreamed of owning a bar on a tropical beach.

Ben and Miguel soon found themselves threatened and attacked as they try to keep the bar running and find out who really killed the former owner of the bar. In this area where the drug cartels flourish and corrupt police officers abound, there are many suspects.

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Rum Luck by Ryan Aldred has just what I like - intrigue and alcohol and lots of it! After Steve finds out about his cheating fiancé he takes off on his honeymoon with his best buddy (I mean, who would waste an all-inclusive paid vacation because of woman?). Bad habits die hard and this one dies harder, along with a body and that sets off a string of action that never stops. I had a difficult time stopping as well and finished this book in record time. Aldred wrote his characters with depth, them having hidden talents and charm that was surprisingly funny for whom they were, thus adding to the speed of reading. I loved it. Can’t wait for more.

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What a great mystery book. This is a curl up on the sofa and read all weekend type of book. The cast of characters is great in this book and don't we all dream at one point to own a bar on a tropical island and just relax. However thing have gone south and fast for this people. It is so good to have friends you can count on and trust and this book shows just how important friends really are. I loved that Victoria is now DJ School Mistress that was great! This high powered attorney is now spinning tunes, loved it!

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Rum Luck was a great murder mystery. It kept me guessing who the killer was until the very end. I would greatly recommend this title and others by the same author.

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I think I can say that the cover (and the blurb) of this book gave me exactly the right idea about what I was going to find through its pages. Who never dreamed of owning a bar in front of the sea in a remote place where winter never comes? Well, I was not so many pages into the book and I was already doubting if I would ever think again about having such an experience! Because we dream of it as a way to escape the stress of our lives..but murderers and drug cartels are really stressfull to me, won't you agree? Anyway this is the perfect book for a summer read, or any other holiday where you need a little entertaining book to enjoy yourself in the sun, with your feet in the sand.
The main plot is a very light mistery, things are going really bad but everybody is always hopeful and ready to fight for their dream, and to drink a good cocktail after every very long day they spent trying to make the whole thing work (the bar on the beach they're trying to run is in a desperate state, and incidents happening every single day are not helping!)
The only thing that stopped me from giving that book 5 stars is that the characters' emotions are a little flat and unimportant. They do various emotional things, but the author doesn't explain us so much about what is passing through these people's minds, and when he does it is only in a quick and "matter of fact" way. But maybe it was intended like that, because this is a mystery, but mostly it is a summer easy read, and going too much through emotions of people in such a bad situation would not be so good for a light read! After all what we do care about is that there is a satisfying and happy ending for all the good people!

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