M.M. Kaye wrote this most enjoyable mystery novel set in an enchanting Cyprus that Kaye realized was too good to last. Years later when memories of places like Kyrenia had begun to fade, she made the sun shine one last time on the Cyprus she had seen and experienced in this marvelous mystery-romance. Those who love the scope and beauty of Kaye's grander, heftier works will find much to love in this old-fashioned mystery and romance set in an exotic locale. M. M. Kaye made sure the sun would never truly set on exotic places such as Port Said, Fayid, Limassol, Nicosia and Kyrenia with Death in Cyprus.

Sunlit garden verandas, dinner tables overlooking a crystal sea of jade and emerald, and the breeze from silver-gray olive trees are described in such a manner you can almost see the former, and taste the latter like a fresh purple grape from the vineyards of Nicosia. The setting is ripe for romance and danger, and Kaye brings them together in Death in Cyprus, one of her finest mysteries. You will feel as though you have enjoyed a vacation fraught with excitement and adventure upon finishing this most charming and old-fashioned mystery.

Young and lovely twenty-year-old Amanda Derrington boards the S.S. Orantares. It is there she will meet the people who play an important part in her life in ways she could not have imagined. Before she leaves the ship for a stay in beautiful Cyprus a murder occurs which will reach the white-walled houses of Cyprus, shining bright against the sea. Only Amanda and Stephen Howard, a painter who carries a gun and may be more than he seems to be, know that it was murder, and not a suicide. Only the happenstance of a last minute cabin switch allowed Amanda to find the poison ending Julia Blaine's life. Amanda's knowledge of the crime will put her in danger as the killer is now aware of what Amanda knows.

The romance of Stephen and Amanda, or Amarantha as he calls her, is a very-old fashioned one born of danger and mystery. It is the kind of romance and mystery that recalls the best of Hitchcock's British films, and very much has that feel. Jealousy and romantic strife all come into play as just beneath the surface of smiles much is going on. Amanda is befriended by more than one person while having doubts about Stephen, and what his real purpose is in all this. A moonlight kiss will complicate matters, as will a second, unexpected murder. And an attempt will be made on Amanda's life while in Kyrenia which will nearly succeed.

There is a terrific ending filled with both adventure and romance. You will not guess the killer or the motive, although Kaye deftly gives us clues. The last few moments of Death in Cyprus are fraught with danger and excitement. Just when the reader believes all has been revealed, Kaye deftly changes everything.

A fine and vividly realized assortment of characters enliven Death in Cyprus almost as much as the exquisitely described exotic locales. Grand beauty and old-fashioned romance amidst an ever-growing danger do the rest, making this a memorable mystery romance rich and evocative of another time and place, and a different style of writing. ( )

This author does suspense REALLY well.
I enjoyed this story from start to finish.
I've read two M.M. Kaye books now, and it amuses me to see that her lead male characters are very alpha male, always telling the girl what's good for her, bossy, with a tenderness for the heroine barely concealed by a businesslike exterior, always doing the rescuing, etc. You get the idea. I personally don't mind it (I guess I'm a sucker for that soft heart under a gruff surface thing, and hey, if I were afraid of some deep murderous plot, I'd stick like a leech to somebody with a competent, take-charge personality) but it's definitely a product of its time and might now be seen as a bit over the top.
And the heroines tend to do a certain amount of huffing and getting offended by the alpha male, even though they secretly adore him. It's trope central, but I buy it hook, line and sinker in a good suspense novel like this! ( )

This is a fun series, a sort of YA series before such a thing existed. I enjoy the historical travel, romance, mystery, etc., but now that I'm much older it's not quite as appealing to experience all that through the eyes of someone so young and pretty. ( )

Although this was an improvement over the quite dreadful Death in Zanzibar, it still had issues. The main problem was a mass dumping introduction to all the characters/suspects in a heap so I had alot of trouble just keeping them all straight for a while. Her usual theme of damsel in distress and mysterious hero continued on, though I can't say I really ever found much to like in Steve Howard and Amanda, despite a few good moments here and there (the resounding slap she laid on Steve being one) mostly was a gullible ninny. I didn't figure out who did it but I didn't really try to, not anywhere near enough clues laid for that. The grand wrap up was long on explanations that made little sense. Just one more of the series that I own but I think I can live without seeking out the final one I don't own.

Awesome characters and great book! I love the romance and who dun it flair! I wish Kaye wrote a lot more of the "Death in" series then she did ( )