Five Ports to Danger — Vivian Connolly

Author Brian Singdahlsen has hit a writing slump, so his editor books him a cruise on a quiet little ship from a small Spanish port. Of course, the author, who wants nothing but peace and quiet to attempt to bring himself out of his slump, ends up meeting several interesting people on board the ship, and is unable to give himself the writing time that he originally wanted. Attempted murder amongst other activities does tend to keep one's attention away from writing, especially when the attempt was made upon oneself