Sarah Cassells, the narrator of Ibiza Surprise (originally published as Dolly and the Cookie Bird, as Sarah is a cook) is one of the most likeable heroines of a Johnson Johnson mystery to date. She's fun funny, just the right amount of frivolous, and a wonderful narrator. The story takes place in Ibiza, Spain, where Sarah is attempted to come to terms with the death of her father, all while trying to find a suitable husband and keep apace of the fierce British society in which she lives. It's all extremely diverting. The characters range from society debutantes and art dealers to deckhands and adventurers. The dialog is witty, the narration is endlessly amusing, and the story is engrossing. The scenery and culture, and the pure escapism of it all, is reason enough to read the book, but the mystery that keeps you (or at least me) guessing right up until the end is a compelling reason as well. I also really admire that Dunnett resists the urge to pair all her heroines off in fairy-tale endings.Dunnett is stunning versatile and gifted author. This mystery novel is entertaining and packed with adventure, romance, and wit. I highly recommend it. Also, now I want to go back to Spain.
