The Intrepid Reader and Baker: Blog Tour: The Nile Cruise by Caroline James

When widow Hattie Mulberry needs to get out of her charming country cottage while her bathroom is being renovated, she decides it is a good idea to go on a holiday, but where can she go? There are so many options. However, once she thinks about her favourite author, she knows where she wants to go. She is going to take a cruise down the Nile, following in the footsteps of Agatha Christie who is not only her favourite author but also an inspiration. Hattie works as a private investigator, but she is looking forward to a break from that.

Once onboard, Hattie meets a cast of other characters. There is Canadian Sylvie and her son Ezra who are travelling through Europe together. Whilst Sylvie has arrived safely in Egypt, her luggage has not, so it isn't long before she is borrowing Hattie's clothes. Ezra seems to be obsessed with the idea of curses and very reserved for a young man his age. Maybe it is to do with travelling with his mother?

Other passengers include Peter, a sausage maker who lives in a make-believe world where he is a spy, and Gerald and his much younger, and very glamourous, wife Anushka. She likes to think of herself as an influencer and as such, she isn't really that interested in the history or the scenery, apart from thinking about how she can use it for her Insta photos. But behind the glamour, not everything is picture perfect, and they are not the only people on board who find themselves sharing their feelings and secrets with the people they just met.

Unlike Anushka, my favourite thing about this book is the various locations with the scenery and the excursions along with the associated history. I have long wanted to visit Egypt, but we haven't made it yet. Maybe some time in the next decade. Also on my list of things to do is a river cruise. We have done several ocean cruises, but never a river one. Maybe I can convince my husband to combine the two.

Caroline James likes to bring characters from previous books back into the current book for another period in the spotlight, and in this book, it is Hattie that is the recycled character. She has previously starred in at least three other books. While I get that this is a boon for readers who have been reading her books for a long time, I have only come to her books in the last few years. As someone who prefers to read series in order, it is a bit uncomfortable for me not having read the previous stories, but in this case I was able to glean enough of the backstory, and to realise that the events in this book represent a new start for Hattie.

There are moments in this that are perhaps a bit over the top, but if you are looking for a fun, escapist read that takes you to some of the most iconic sites in the world, then this book ticks all the boxes. I will be interested to see where Caroline James takes her readers next! And which characters she brings back as well.

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews. This was a book that I nominated as one of my 20 Books of Winter. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour below too!

Rating 4/5

About the book

The Nile Cruise

Sail down The Nile this summer on a voyage of discovery…and just a little bit of mystery!

Will an adventure sailing The River Nile turn the tide for Hattie?

Hattie Mulberry is exhausted. Worn out from the demands of everyone around her, she’s long overdue a break. So, she decides to take a holiday – the adventure of a lifetime, following in the footsteps of her literary hero, Agatha Christie.

Before Hattie knows it, she’s embarking on a glamorous Nile cruise. Not only a voyage steeped in history and world-famous sights, but one where the passengers are almost as fascinating as the views from her luxurious cabin…

As the eclectic band of travellers journey between ancient temples and legendary tombs, guided by handsome Egyptologist Sam, secrets surface, desires awaken, and tensions simmer beneath the Egyptian sun.

Will the magic of moonlit nights on the Nile bring romance and renewal? Or will the infamous curse of Tutankhamun cast a shadow when least expected?

A gloriously escapist read full of sun, secrets and romance, perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Judy Leigh.

Purchase Link

https://geni.us/TNCK The Nile Cruise

About the author

Caroline James is the celebrated author of later-life fiction, including THE CRUISE, the #1 best-seller that has captivated cruise ship passengers worldwide, earning its reputation as Girl Power for the Over-Sixties! Her eagerly anticipated follow-up cruise novels, include THE CRUISE CLUB, and THE ARCTIC CRUISE both hitting the Amazon Top 100 Kindle charts.

Caroline’s vibrant storytelling stems from her colourful career. Before becoming a full-time writer, she carved out a fascinating path in the hospitality industry, owning a charming country house hotel and a lively pub. As a media agent, she worked closely with celebrity chefs, giving her an insider’s perspective on the glitz, glamour, and grit of the culinary world. When she finally turned her focus to writing, she discovered her true calling, penning best-selling novels that have garnered her legions of fans.

When she’s not writing, Caroline enjoys tranquil walks with Fred, her Westie, and writing and plotting her next novels in her Scottish retreat. As a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the SoA, ARRA, and the Society of Women’s Writers & Journalists, Caroline is a passionate advocate for the written word and a champion of life-long creativity

Books by Caroline James:

The Nile Cruise

The Arctic Cruise

Atticus Arnott’s Great Adventure

The Cruise Club

The French Cookery School

The Cruise

The Spa Break

Hattie Goes to Hollywood

Boomerville at Ballymegille

The Best Boomerville Hotel

Coffee Tea the Gypsy & Me