Death at the Dock book tour is through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours with a fun character interview and includes a giveaway at the end of this post. Explore, engage with the author in the comments, subscribe to Sarandipity’s and check out the latest products in the store.
Book Details
Death at the Dock: An Alyssa Chalmers Historical Mystery
Historical Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Portland, Oregon, in 1862
Independently Published
Publication date : February 27, 2026
Print length : 191 pages
Digital ASIN : B0GGSRKWDK
Will be available in Paperback too.
A sharp tongue. An even sharper mind. A Victorian sleuth criminals overlook at their peril.
- A new home in a prospectors’ town, a new life, and two steadfast admirers: Alyssa
Chalmers’ future is secure among her friends.
But when Captain Moore sends a message, begging for her help, she can’t say no.
With the doctor and the First Officer by her side, she travels to Portland, Oregon. She finds a
situation worse than she feared. Two of the captain’s crew have gone missing and the local
marshal is adamant they simply jumped ship. Even the discovery of a body is unable to change
his mind.
Captain Moore knows better. He is convinced that something sinister is going on, and he needs
sharp-witted Alyssa and her sleuthing partners to figure it out.
But dark secrets and vices are lurking everywhere. Alyssa needs all her wits to figure out who to
trust – and how to save the missing men before there’s another murder.
Death at the Dock is the third mystery in this captivating series that transports readers back to
the 1860s, with a heroine determined to make her own way in a society made for men. Perfect for
fans of Rhys Bowen’s Molly Murphy and Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody.
About Carmen Radtke
Carmen has spent most of her life with ink on her fingers and a dangerously high pile of books
and newspapers by her side.
She has worked as a newspaper reporter on two continents.
When she found herself crouched under her dining table, typing away on a novel between two
earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand, she realised she was hooked for life.
The shaken but stirring novel made it to the longlist of the Mslexia competition, and her next
book and first mystery, The Case Of The Missing Bride, was a finalist in the Malice Domestic
competition in a year without a winner. Since then she has penned several more cozy mysteries,
including the Jack and Frances series set in the 1930s. The cozy midlife witch series featuring
Bex Merriweather and her cat familiar are the latest addition to her literary output.
In real life, she’s only spilled blood once, when she swatted a fly, and even that was an accident.
Although she’s a devoted cat servant, her feline companion doesn’t talk. Yet.
Carmen now lives in Italy with her human and her four-legged family.
Author Links:
Website – https://www.carmenradtkeauthor.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/carmenradtkeauthor
Purchase Link:
Amazon
Describe yourself.
According to my former chaperone, I have a tendency to be rash, forward, unbecomingly opinionated, and a bluestocking. I admit that she is right, but I consider these traits to be natural for any woman who possesses good sense and understanding, just as I consider it as my duty to protect my more vulnerable friends and seek justice. But enough said about that.
What makes you laugh?
Joking with my new girlfriends, and the delightful novels of Miss Jane Austen. Her wit and sharp observations never fail to delight me. My copy of Pride and Prejudice is one of my most treasured possessions.
Are you afraid of anything?
As someone who grew up in the colony of Australia, I learned to regard snakes and venomous spiders with equanimity, but I admit I’ve come to regard certain humans with trepidations. So much evil can lurk behind a pleasing demeanor. Yet I shall never allow myself to be intimidated.
Do you have a special talent or gift?
Only the gift to pursue the truth and a keen understanding of logical conclusions. As for talents, my mother taught me how to make boiled sweets. Her father, whom I never had a chance to meet, was the owner of a confectioner’s shop in England.
Do you have a secret?
I lied to gain passage on the Artemis’ Delight, a subterfuge I assure you was born out of necessity because of the restraints a single woman still has to endure in this year of 1862. Only a few people are aware of my falsehood.
Tell us about your family.
When I was little, my father took our family to Melbourne on behalf of Her Majesty, Queen Victoria. He served proudly in her provincial government, hoping that the hot clime would prove beneficial for my mother’s delicate health. We were held in high regard, until my father felt compelled to speak out against the horrid conditions on the prison hulk where convicted men were treated worse than cattle. Afterwards, invitations stopped, yet he – and my mother and I as well – never regretted it.
He passed away a few years ago, and when I lost my mother at the beginning of this year, I found myself alone and looking for a way to determine my own fate, in a place of my own choice.
Who is the most important person in your life?
I wish I knew. My girlfriends, who traveled from Australia with me, are very dear to me, and then there are the two men who have offered me stalwart support …
What is your most embarrassing moment?
My first clash with Dr. Bryson, on the “Artemis’ Delight”. It took us both a while to overcome our prejudices. He thought me mercenary and meddlesome, and I thought him arrogant and patronizing.
What do you do for fun?
I read, and, given the chance, I explore new places. I discovered the most delightful store here in Portland, “The Chinaman’s Tea & Coffee Store”.
If you could change anything about your life what would it be?
I wish I had the same freedom and opportunities granted to men!
Tell me about your author.
I thought she had forgotten all about me when she abandoned me directly after my arrival in Portland. There I was, tasked with locating the missing crew members for Captain Moore, and she deserted me without a clear course of action, to write paranormal cozy mysteries for over two years. I do understand
that she only desired to get rid of the voices in her head, but I confess that for a while I considered denying her my cooperation in bringing this case to a close. I did not, though, and I must admit that it felt good to return to sleuthing and exploring. I only hope that I will get more opportunities for adventure.
Do you like the way they write you?
She does seem to grasp my dilemma and share my interests. I find myself especially grateful that my author does not force me into a rash decision about changing my single state. Indeed, I consider her almost a confidante, despite the neglect I had to endure from Carmen. But then I understand that times and customs have changed and it takes her a lot of work to do my stories justice. At least she grants me travel, books, and tea!
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
March 5 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
March 5 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
March 6 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST
March 6 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
March 7 – Angel’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT
March 7 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT
March 8 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
March 8 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW
March 9 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT
March 9 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
March 10 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
March 10 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
March 11 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT –
March 12 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW
March 12 – Novels Alive – REVIEW
March 13 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
March 14 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
Giveaway
Prize – 3- Copies The Case of the Missing Bride (Alyssa Chalmers mysteries #1) (Digital) (International)
