Wednesday, 2 November 2022

Review - The Cruise by Catherine Cooper

The Cruise by Catherine Cooper
Publisher: HarperCollinsUK
Release date: 30 October 2022
Back cover blurb: A glamorous ship. During a New Year’s Eve party on a large, luxurious cruise ship in the Caribbean, the ship’s dancer, Lola, goes missing. Everyone on board has something to hide. Two weeks later, the ship is out of service, laid up far from land with no more than a skeleton crew on board. And then more people start disappearing… No one is safe. Why are the crew being harmed? Who is responsible? And who will be next?











I have to say this is not exactly the novel that I was expecting! I know that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover - it its blurb, but there was definitely less cruise action than I was expecting.

That said, it is a thrilling thread, it just didn't take me down the path (or on the high seas) that I anticipated.

The Cruise opens (funnily enough) on a cruise ship, here we meet the ships dancers preparing for the evening's performance, but also impatient for rehearsals to be over so that they can get some rest, or at least do their own thing before the New Year's festivities.

Fast forward to the evening and the ship's Captain is having dinner with the Cruise Line's CEO in the onboard Michelin starred restaurant when disaster strikes, a passenger has seen someone go overboard. The Captain acts immediately to put in to place the emergency procedures, but it isn't until the following the day that they realise Lola, one of the ships dancers is missing.

Her friends and colleagues on board are in disbelief, but the ships doctor confirms quietly to the Captain a history of mental illness, and previous attempts on her own life, the search is called off, and the investigation scaled down.

The ship itself, is due to be layed up for a refit offshore from the Caribbean, a few select crew are invited to stay onboard, others can choose, but most decide to use the time off wisely. Particularly after the tragic events of New Year.

And then the story changes, we are transported back several years to the Highlands of Scotland where a young woman has seemingly survived a hit and run. 

What does this possibly have to do with Lola's disappearance/presumed suicide?

Well I'm afraid you'll have to read the Cruise to find out!

If you like a twisty thriller, you won't be disappointed...

The Cruise is available now via Amazon online and all good book shops.

Thank You to the publishers who approved my request via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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