Wild animals and even wilder times greet the corporate crew of Cartwright Media’s annual retreat in Rachel Moore’s Safari Murder Party. On a private island off the coast of Madagascar, an aspiring photojournalist discovers that lions, cheetahs and spotted hyenas aren’t the most feral beasts.
Fletcher Spence has been biding her time as Dyer Cartwright’s assistant, holding out hope for a long-awaited promotion. She’s been keeping her head down and nose clean, following orders like a good worker bee. All evidence pointed to this being her year to get to the island, where promotions are handed out like handshakes, until it’s revealed that her name wasn’t on the list. Instead, Dyer’s estranged son, Waylon, got the final spot on the getaway to Lydell—the spot for the movers and shakers of Cartwright Media. Fletcher should’ve listened to the universe and accepted her fate to stay behind, because after convincing Mr. Cartwright to allow her to join, she discovers the true purpose of this final corporate outing was a battle royale for corporate inheritance. She is forced to kill or be killed on the faraway, lawless island in the Indian Ocean, while also dodging natural predators that top the food chain in the savanna. Her experience avoiding beastly rats in Manhattan subway stations certainly isn’t going to help her here. Despite their mutual dislike for each other, Fletcher and Waylon determine that they must work together in order to have the best chance at survival.
Safari Murder Party is a drastic left turn from Moore’s typical YA romances, but it’s fun and certainly refreshing. Moore sets a jaunty pace in this rom-com murder mystery with dark humor and snappy dialogue. And the chemistry between Fletcher and Waylon makes the story all the more thrilling because, when their attraction should be dampened by adrenaline and their survival instincts, these two decide to take a chance on each other to make it home.