Cruising for Murder — Susan Sussman; Sarajane Avidon

DEAD IN THE WATER

Now that the touring production of Rent has just closed and a Chicago winter has descended, dancer/singer Morgan Taylor impulsively accepts a gig on a Caribbean cruise ship, anticipating three weeks of show tunes and suntans -- not a stage set for murder.

Her friend Kathy, the show's production director, neglected to tell Morgan that the entertainer she's replacing died under mysterious circumstances. And when Morgan's beautiful, backstabbing roommate is found floating in the turquoise waters of the Bahamas -- neatly zipped into a garment bag -- things look ominous indeed.

Neatly sidestepping a stalker, dangerous threats and a sinister shipboard mystery, Morgan remains, as always, a seasoned performer. She may be in a killer's spotlight, but the show must go on. Morgan just hopes it continues to be a live performance.