Join Mary Mead, the excited new Assistant Cruise Director, on Sovereign River Cruises’ “Delightful Douro and Salamanca” cruise, and go on an amazing journey. Her maiden voyage aboard the MV Duke of Sussex promises stunning scenery and colourful personalities, while danger lies just beneath the surface. A health club owner and his new girlfriend, a retired Classics teacher, a lively bunch attending a hen party, a well-known travel writer, a Romanian mobster, a pair of Cambridge academics, and two perceptive widows, Jane and Vera, are among the interesting mix of guests joining Mary on the cruise.

An unexpected and perplexing death soon disturbs the calm waters of the Douro, leaving Mary to sort through a complex web of hidden motives and secrets among her colourful passengers. Equipped with astute observing abilities, Mary receives support from her fictional hero, Detective Inspector Humphrey Goodman from Saint Marie, and the real-life Superintendent Carlos Colombo from the Polícia Judiciária, in addition to her perceptive pals. There are various clues to consider, such as disappearing backpacks, a stolen handbag, soft hands, an old press clipping, and even the Spanish Christmas Lottery. Death on the Douro is a brilliant story that combines charm, mystery, and adventure alongside the picturesque Douro River to keep readers guessing until the very end.