Mystery and Malice aboard RMS Ballast by P.J. Fitzsimmons, Tim Bruce (Narrator)

Inspector Wittersham has asked Anty if he can help get him onto the RMS Ballast. What Anty doesn't known is that the Inspector has an ulterior motive. He wants to take down the owner of the RMS Ballast for never actually delivering the mail that he is being paid to deliver. Of course, neither knew that he was going to be so desperately seasick.

Anty was only invited because the owners think he is in love with their daughter and his cousin Teddy begged him to come. She has two suitors that will also be aboard. There is an unknown lothario who is also on board. And a crusty captain with a bird that corrects his grammar. 

This is a murder mystery and someone will die. But this book also contains a treasure map and hilarity. 

Four stars

Anty Boisjoly #8

This book came out January 1, 2025

Follows Foreboding Foretelling at Ficklehouse Felling 

Followed by Death Reports to a Health Resort

Audiobook from Audible

Opinions are my own

Foreboding Foretelling at Ficklehouse Felling by P.J. Fitzsimmons, Tim Bruce (Narrator)

Anty has been invited to a country house. Specifically, the group is going to be attending a seance. Of course, the practitioner, Professor Smudge, foretells death. Aunt Marge (the sister of the current Ficklehouse owner, Ogden Ficklehouse) is unimpressed. She knows Anty's mother and implores Anty to try and unmask Professor Smudge as a fraud. It seems that she is set to leave the next morning and wants Anty to talk Smudge and, well, bribe him to take back his prediction. It's just too bad that someone dies before the money changes hands. 

There was so much fun in this book. The Boisjoly mysteries are always a romp but I think Fitzsimmons particularly enjoyed writing this book. I listened to this one and the narrator seemed to be having fun as well. 

Four stars

Anty Boisjoly #7

This book came out November 18, 2024

Follows The Case of the Case of Kilcladdich

Followed by Mystery and Malice Aboard RMS Ballast

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Reread as Audible book April 2026

The Case of the Case of Kilcladdich by P.J. Fitzsimmons, Tim Bruce (Narrator)

There are two whiskey distilleries in Glen Glennegie and every so often, there is a tasting to determine which one will be the Glen Glenngie label. This is the year and Anty is in the village as one of the three tasters. The other two are a childhood friend that he could almost fall in love with and the golf-mad widow of the colonel who used to be the third chair. She doesn’t seem to know much about tasting whiskey but she does know a lot about golf. 

Before the tasting can even happen, one of the patriarchs of the two feuding families is killed. Then the other. It seems obvious that the two murders are related. Inspector [] is brought in to help. A foe (of sorts) to Anty, he is determined to solve the case. But Anty has some help this time in the form of Fiona. 

Did the mystery make a lot of sense? Eh. Was it a thoroughly delightful romp along the way? Oh yes. 

Three and a half stars

Anty Boisjoly #6

This book came out May 5, 2023

Follows Reckoning at the Riviera Royale

Followed by Foreboding Foretelling at Ficklehouse Felling

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Reread as Audible book April 2026