Former-nurse-turned-medical-fraud-insurance investigator Pauline Sokol is sure her latest case could very well be her last. Her boss, Fabio, is sending her to investigate over-charging of medical services aboard the Golden Dolphin, a popular cruise ship. Worrying about criminals is the least of Pauline's concerns as she reluctantly accepts the assignment. She could fall overboard, drown, the ship could sink, or worse, disappear into the Bermuda Triangle, never to be heard from again.

Things are worse than she could imagine when Pauline actually makes it onboard. She's sharing a cabin not much larger than a postage stamp with a surly French nurse, and the nurse she's replacing has simply disappeared, a fact no one is willing to talk about. Not only that, her parents and uncle have decided to join her on the cruise, as have her best friends and roommates, Goldie and Miles, and the enigmatic, sexy Jagger, who's working undercover as an escort.

Pauline is grateful for the support of her friends when her roommate Jackie ends up with a knife in her back. While wondering if Jackie's death could be connected to the fraud investigation, Pauline has to be careful to keep her undercover work a secret from the FBI and ship staff. With Jagger's assistance, Pauline uncovers a variety of suspects who may or may not be involved in both the fraud and murder.

Lori Avocato's DEEP SEA DEAD is a terrific addition to her Pauline Sokol mysteries. Humor and suspense blend beautifully throughout. Pauline is a feisty, fun woman. She has wonderfully loyal friends in Goldie and Miles, her parents are down-to-earth and Jagger is, well, Jagger! Fans of Avocato's books are going to love DEEP SEA DEAD; new readers are going to be scrambling to find earlier books in the series.