What do you think?
Rate this book
Adrift
A stag do, six old friends … and a secret they’d all kill to protect.
When Pete and his friends set sail on a private yacht in the Balearics to celebrate Fergus’ upcoming wedding, they’re all looking forward to sun, sea and copious quantities of alcohol.
But there’s a reason they are still entwined in each other’s lives a decade after leaving university. A terrible event they’ve all been trying their hardest to forget.
They say you can’t outrun the past … And these six friends are about to find that out the hard way.
When Pete and his friends set sail on a private yacht in the Balearics to celebrate Fergus’ upcoming wedding, they’re all looking forward to sun, sea and copious quantities of alcohol.
But there’s a reason they are still entwined in each other’s lives a decade after leaving university. A terrible event they’ve all been trying their hardest to forget.
They say you can’t outrun the past … And these six friends are about to find that out the hard way.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 4, 2023
331 people are currently reading
549 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
June 22, 2023
Adrift is a gripping, shocking and tension filled book about 6 friends trapped on a yacht. When you can't run or in this case, sail away from your past, what is there left to do?
A stag do! It's going to be great! A beautiful setting, blue skies, a private yacht in Balearics, booze, and 6 old friends, should make for a fantastic voyage to celebrate Fergus' upcoming wedding. They had been friends since their university days, then something happened, and they all shared a secret. Secrets are heavy things. They are burdens that need to be carried, protected but are they worth killing for????
I participated in a "listenalong” for this book and it was so much fun! I enjoyed the audiobook and the narration. I found it to be very well done. I also enjoyed both storylines in this book. Learning about all the characters in the past, their relationships, troubles, and time living together. This provided some insight into the characters and their personalities.
In the present day, things are tense. They have not seen each other and have fallen out of touch. But they are ready to party and have some fun in the sun! But the fun ends when they find they are adrift and one of them is dead and it's only the beginning.
I was invested from the very beginning. I loved the mounting tension and danger in the present day as the friends begin to point fingers while trying to stay alive. I found this book to be well written, perfectly paced and well thought out. Secrets is the name of the game in this book. I loved how this played out in the book.
I enjoyed doing my own super sleuthing and had a suspect in mind. My suspect changed a few times as the book progressed. This book had a nice number of twists, and I enjoyed the 'aha' moment I had when the reveal occurred.
What a great summer read! The setting on the boat was atmospheric and I enjoyed the trapped feeling of not being able to get off the yacht while the danger mounts. I could feel the desperation and mounting unease and fear of the group. I could feel their uncertainty, not knowing who to trust.
Gripping, shocking, tense and well written.
I participated in the 24-hour read a long with @StephenEdger @BoldwoodBooks @Writer_MAHunter
#AdriftListenalong and #BoldAudio
Thank you to Boldwood Books who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
A stag do! It's going to be great! A beautiful setting, blue skies, a private yacht in Balearics, booze, and 6 old friends, should make for a fantastic voyage to celebrate Fergus' upcoming wedding. They had been friends since their university days, then something happened, and they all shared a secret. Secrets are heavy things. They are burdens that need to be carried, protected but are they worth killing for????
I participated in a "listenalong” for this book and it was so much fun! I enjoyed the audiobook and the narration. I found it to be very well done. I also enjoyed both storylines in this book. Learning about all the characters in the past, their relationships, troubles, and time living together. This provided some insight into the characters and their personalities.
In the present day, things are tense. They have not seen each other and have fallen out of touch. But they are ready to party and have some fun in the sun! But the fun ends when they find they are adrift and one of them is dead and it's only the beginning.
I was invested from the very beginning. I loved the mounting tension and danger in the present day as the friends begin to point fingers while trying to stay alive. I found this book to be well written, perfectly paced and well thought out. Secrets is the name of the game in this book. I loved how this played out in the book.
I enjoyed doing my own super sleuthing and had a suspect in mind. My suspect changed a few times as the book progressed. This book had a nice number of twists, and I enjoyed the 'aha' moment I had when the reveal occurred.
What a great summer read! The setting on the boat was atmospheric and I enjoyed the trapped feeling of not being able to get off the yacht while the danger mounts. I could feel the desperation and mounting unease and fear of the group. I could feel their uncertainty, not knowing who to trust.
Gripping, shocking, tense and well written.
I participated in the 24-hour read a long with @StephenEdger @BoldwoodBooks @Writer_MAHunter
#AdriftListenalong and #BoldAudio
Thank you to Boldwood Books who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
February 1, 2026
I love locked mysteries, and this one was plenty entertaining.
April 18, 2023
When Pete and his friends set sail on his brand-new yacht in the Balearics to celebrate Fergus' upcoming wedding, they're all looking forward to sun, sea, and copious quantities of alcohol. But there's a reason they are still entwined in each other's lives a decade after leaving university. A terrible event they've all been trying their hardest to forget. They say you can't outrun the past....
And these six friends are about to find that out the hard way.
Six friends set out for a stag do. But the friends awake one morning to find they are adrift at sea. The story has a dual timeline - the present day and the past, when they are all at university. We get the secrets that have been kept buried in the past to new secrets in the present day. with strong characters and a plotline full of twists, I could not put this book down. The pace is fast, and I was pulled into this story after reading a few pages. This is one of those books where you promise yourself just one more chapter, but one more is never enough.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #MAHunter for my ARC of #Adrift in exchange for an honest review.
And these six friends are about to find that out the hard way.
Six friends set out for a stag do. But the friends awake one morning to find they are adrift at sea. The story has a dual timeline - the present day and the past, when they are all at university. We get the secrets that have been kept buried in the past to new secrets in the present day. with strong characters and a plotline full of twists, I could not put this book down. The pace is fast, and I was pulled into this story after reading a few pages. This is one of those books where you promise yourself just one more chapter, but one more is never enough.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #MAHunter for my ARC of #Adrift in exchange for an honest review.
May 4, 2023
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Adrift' by M.A Hunter
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for M. A Hunter, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random resources Tours.
Publication date 4th May 2023
This is the first book I have read by this author.
I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Boldwood. I have yet to read a book published by Boldwood that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 42 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is written in first person perspective with the main protagonist being Pete. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them.
'Adrift' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book MA Hunter discusses r@p3
WHAT did I just read!!!! WOW!!! I mean seriously Wow!! I was NOT expecting that lot fair play!!! This has GOT to start with a MASSIVE WELL DONE STEPHEN !!!! An absolutely action packed thriller!!
Firstly let's start off with the writing style!! This book is an extremely well written book by this amazing author which had me hook line and sinker!!! It is so smoothly and exceptionally well written with vivid descriptions I completely forgot I was even reading a book a few times. The blurb, title and cover really fit the storyline. Stephen has created an absolutely explosive and addictive storyline that had me hooked from the gripping first chapter to the absolutely shocking ending!!!
As you can tell I LOVED the storyline. I found it to be realistic, very fast paced and I read it in just several hours!!! I loved the setting and atmosphere and just well... Everything!!! Twists after shocks after turns!!! Arggghhh... Its so hard to NOT say anything about them as it will give too much away and spoil it for future readers but it definitely left me speechless over and over!!! I have read hundreds of psychological books and it gets harder and harder to keep my interest and to shock me but these fantastic authors managed it hook, line and sinker Just brilliant fair play and all links in and wraps up perfectly!!! Pete is invited on a stag night with university friends, some of which he has barely spoken with, if at all, since leaving 10 years ago when they were all involved in something they vow never to speak of again. They have hired a private boat and are planning on having a fun and relaxing time in the Balearics. However things start going downhill quickly and is far from the fun time previously planned. Stephen has done an absolutely amazing job of weaving the past and present chapters together in a way to give the reader just the right amount of detail to drop feed them the history between them needed but not too much to give anything away. I absolutely loved the unique storyline and have yet to read a book based on either a stag night or on a yacht and considering the hundred of books I have read this is a MASSIVE achievement so a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS STEPHEN on achieving a storyline I have had yet to uncover!!
MA Hunter leads the readers up to some extremely explosive twists that I woiuld never have seen coming. I cannot remember the last time I flew through a book so quickly. Each and every time I went to put it down to do something my fingers were itching to pick it back up as I just HAD to know what happened next!! MA's evocative writing skills ensure you are sucked deep into the storyline seeing everything that is happening and feeling the tension, stress and suspense that each of the main characters are going through. My heart was in my throat throughout reading this fast paced, gripping and gritty psychological thriller! I loved the amount of gory details that was involved in some of the events!! Many people won't agree with me here but I love it when an author creates unique ways of certain events and MA Hunter includes just the right amount of gore and definitely uniqueness in some of the ones involved in this book!! This may be the first book I have read by this amazing authors but if all his books are like this I cannot wait to get stuck into them and I have added all his previous books to my wish list already and look forward to what they come out with next!! It is ram packed with friendship, secrets, lies, twists, heartbreak, twists, abuse, history , tension, stress, suspense and everything you could ask for in a psychological thriller. I can't say more than that as I don't want to spoil it for future readers so if you want to know you'll have to grab yourself a copy!! You won't regret it!!
It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture
Just like with the storyline the characters come to life with Stephen's fantastic writing skills. They are well rounded, realistic and strong making them all the more believable. It is going to be extremely hard for me to say too much about the characters as I really don't want to give too much away and due to there only being a limited amount of suspects it is way too easy to slip up. All the characters had their own unique personalities and I enjoyed watching the differences in their personalities from their younger selves to how they acted in the present but at the same time most of them had similar aspects to their personalities. At one point of the book I did suspect the majority of the characters and I think only one or two I didn't think had anything to do with any of it. I was kind blown when everything came out. There were some things I both liked and disliked about the majority of them. However the one character I really couldn't abide from the start is the creepy Raymond who absolutely made me cringe!! I found Pete to be quite a good friend but at times a bit of a wimp and not doing what he told himself he would. I thought Harry was a really sweet friend to Pete and I thought it was cute how he calls him bro. I disliked Christoph in the past segments but he slowly grew on me on the present chapters. My heart went out to Sophie but at the same time I found her to be a bit bossy at times. I thought Rhys could be a bit of a child and didn't tend to think before he did or spoke. Fergus was a bit of a mixed bag and at times I liked him and others I thought he was a bit two faced. I won't go into more details as I don't want to risk giving anything away but Stephen really has done an exceptional job constructing an addictive and explosive psychological thriller with fantastic and varied characters that you just won't be able to put down!! Regardless of whether you loved or hated them they each worked perfectly together to create this chilling and nail biting action packed thriller that you will not be able to put down!!
Congratulations MA Hunter on an explosive success!!! Welcome to my favourite author club!! Here's to many more successes 🥂!!!
Clear your schedules before picking this up as you will not be able to put it down!!! "
Overall an absolutely page turning, addictive, gripping and explosive must read that will keep you addicted from the very start to the fantastic ending!!!
Genres covered in this novel include Psychological Suspense, Hard-Boiled Mystery, Crime, Thriller & Mystery Adventures, International Mystery & Crime, Suspense Thriller, Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Psychological Fiction, Psychological Literary Fiction, Thriller & Suspense Literary Fiction, Crime, Thriller & Mystery Adventures, and Mystery amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of The Girl on the Train, Behind Closed Doors, fans of Miranda Smith, Sheryl Browne, Sue Watson, K.L. Slater. Nina Manning, Shalini Boland, Lisa Jewell, Ruth Ware, Gillian Flynn and anyone looking for an explosive page turner!!!
312 pages.
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon, free with kindle unlimited and £9.99 in paperback at time of review which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#Adrieft #MAHunter #StephenEdger #BoldwoodBooks #BoldwoodBloggers #BookAndTonic #RachelsRandomResources #rararesources #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour #Goodreads #NetGalley #Amazon #AmazonKindle #Bookstagram #Bookblogger #NetGalley #KindleUnlimited
@Adrift @MAHunter @StephenEdger@BoldwoodBooks @BoldwoodBloggers @BookAndTonic@Netgalley @RachelsRandomResources @rararesources @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86 @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86 @Goodreads @Amazon @AmazonKindle @Bookstagram @BookBlogger @KindleUnlimited
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhi...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3...
https://mobile.twitter.com/kcmw86
Review for 'Adrift' by M.A Hunter
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for M. A Hunter, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random resources Tours.
Publication date 4th May 2023
This is the first book I have read by this author.
I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Boldwood. I have yet to read a book published by Boldwood that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 42 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is written in first person perspective with the main protagonist being Pete. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them.
'Adrift' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book MA Hunter discusses r@p3
WHAT did I just read!!!! WOW!!! I mean seriously Wow!! I was NOT expecting that lot fair play!!! This has GOT to start with a MASSIVE WELL DONE STEPHEN !!!! An absolutely action packed thriller!!
Firstly let's start off with the writing style!! This book is an extremely well written book by this amazing author which had me hook line and sinker!!! It is so smoothly and exceptionally well written with vivid descriptions I completely forgot I was even reading a book a few times. The blurb, title and cover really fit the storyline. Stephen has created an absolutely explosive and addictive storyline that had me hooked from the gripping first chapter to the absolutely shocking ending!!!
As you can tell I LOVED the storyline. I found it to be realistic, very fast paced and I read it in just several hours!!! I loved the setting and atmosphere and just well... Everything!!! Twists after shocks after turns!!! Arggghhh... Its so hard to NOT say anything about them as it will give too much away and spoil it for future readers but it definitely left me speechless over and over!!! I have read hundreds of psychological books and it gets harder and harder to keep my interest and to shock me but these fantastic authors managed it hook, line and sinker Just brilliant fair play and all links in and wraps up perfectly!!! Pete is invited on a stag night with university friends, some of which he has barely spoken with, if at all, since leaving 10 years ago when they were all involved in something they vow never to speak of again. They have hired a private boat and are planning on having a fun and relaxing time in the Balearics. However things start going downhill quickly and is far from the fun time previously planned. Stephen has done an absolutely amazing job of weaving the past and present chapters together in a way to give the reader just the right amount of detail to drop feed them the history between them needed but not too much to give anything away. I absolutely loved the unique storyline and have yet to read a book based on either a stag night or on a yacht and considering the hundred of books I have read this is a MASSIVE achievement so a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS STEPHEN on achieving a storyline I have had yet to uncover!!
MA Hunter leads the readers up to some extremely explosive twists that I woiuld never have seen coming. I cannot remember the last time I flew through a book so quickly. Each and every time I went to put it down to do something my fingers were itching to pick it back up as I just HAD to know what happened next!! MA's evocative writing skills ensure you are sucked deep into the storyline seeing everything that is happening and feeling the tension, stress and suspense that each of the main characters are going through. My heart was in my throat throughout reading this fast paced, gripping and gritty psychological thriller! I loved the amount of gory details that was involved in some of the events!! Many people won't agree with me here but I love it when an author creates unique ways of certain events and MA Hunter includes just the right amount of gore and definitely uniqueness in some of the ones involved in this book!! This may be the first book I have read by this amazing authors but if all his books are like this I cannot wait to get stuck into them and I have added all his previous books to my wish list already and look forward to what they come out with next!! It is ram packed with friendship, secrets, lies, twists, heartbreak, twists, abuse, history , tension, stress, suspense and everything you could ask for in a psychological thriller. I can't say more than that as I don't want to spoil it for future readers so if you want to know you'll have to grab yourself a copy!! You won't regret it!!
It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture
Just like with the storyline the characters come to life with Stephen's fantastic writing skills. They are well rounded, realistic and strong making them all the more believable. It is going to be extremely hard for me to say too much about the characters as I really don't want to give too much away and due to there only being a limited amount of suspects it is way too easy to slip up. All the characters had their own unique personalities and I enjoyed watching the differences in their personalities from their younger selves to how they acted in the present but at the same time most of them had similar aspects to their personalities. At one point of the book I did suspect the majority of the characters and I think only one or two I didn't think had anything to do with any of it. I was kind blown when everything came out. There were some things I both liked and disliked about the majority of them. However the one character I really couldn't abide from the start is the creepy Raymond who absolutely made me cringe!! I found Pete to be quite a good friend but at times a bit of a wimp and not doing what he told himself he would. I thought Harry was a really sweet friend to Pete and I thought it was cute how he calls him bro. I disliked Christoph in the past segments but he slowly grew on me on the present chapters. My heart went out to Sophie but at the same time I found her to be a bit bossy at times. I thought Rhys could be a bit of a child and didn't tend to think before he did or spoke. Fergus was a bit of a mixed bag and at times I liked him and others I thought he was a bit two faced. I won't go into more details as I don't want to risk giving anything away but Stephen really has done an exceptional job constructing an addictive and explosive psychological thriller with fantastic and varied characters that you just won't be able to put down!! Regardless of whether you loved or hated them they each worked perfectly together to create this chilling and nail biting action packed thriller that you will not be able to put down!!
Congratulations MA Hunter on an explosive success!!! Welcome to my favourite author club!! Here's to many more successes 🥂!!!
Clear your schedules before picking this up as you will not be able to put it down!!! "
Overall an absolutely page turning, addictive, gripping and explosive must read that will keep you addicted from the very start to the fantastic ending!!!
Genres covered in this novel include Psychological Suspense, Hard-Boiled Mystery, Crime, Thriller & Mystery Adventures, International Mystery & Crime, Suspense Thriller, Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Psychological Fiction, Psychological Literary Fiction, Thriller & Suspense Literary Fiction, Crime, Thriller & Mystery Adventures, and Mystery amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of The Girl on the Train, Behind Closed Doors, fans of Miranda Smith, Sheryl Browne, Sue Watson, K.L. Slater. Nina Manning, Shalini Boland, Lisa Jewell, Ruth Ware, Gillian Flynn and anyone looking for an explosive page turner!!!
312 pages.
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon, free with kindle unlimited and £9.99 in paperback at time of review which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#Adrieft #MAHunter #StephenEdger #BoldwoodBooks #BoldwoodBloggers #BookAndTonic #RachelsRandomResources #rararesources #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour #Goodreads #NetGalley #Amazon #AmazonKindle #Bookstagram #Bookblogger #NetGalley #KindleUnlimited
@Adrift @MAHunter @StephenEdger@BoldwoodBooks @BoldwoodBloggers @BookAndTonic@Netgalley @RachelsRandomResources @rararesources @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86 @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86 @Goodreads @Amazon @AmazonKindle @Bookstagram @BookBlogger @KindleUnlimited
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhi...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3...
https://mobile.twitter.com/kcmw86
October 5, 2023
A riveting rendition on the old AG trope And Then There Were None. I thought the author pulled it off! I was unsure who the murderer was until the very end.
Fergus is marrying Peter's sister so a yacht trip is organized as a bachelor party. Invited are all of Fergus and Pete 's university mates. As Christophe, Reece, Sophie, Harry, Fergus and Pete soak in the beautiful view and hot sun, little do they know that they are all targets of a deranged murderer and they will soon be trapped adrift on their boat.
This book kept me guessing!!! I must have flipped about ten times as to who I thought was the culprit. As the present unfolds, the story also alternates back ten years ago when they all lived together in a house during university days and the secret they have kept hidden all of these years.
Great audio narration told from Pete's perspective.
Fergus is marrying Peter's sister so a yacht trip is organized as a bachelor party. Invited are all of Fergus and Pete 's university mates. As Christophe, Reece, Sophie, Harry, Fergus and Pete soak in the beautiful view and hot sun, little do they know that they are all targets of a deranged murderer and they will soon be trapped adrift on their boat.
This book kept me guessing!!! I must have flipped about ten times as to who I thought was the culprit. As the present unfolds, the story also alternates back ten years ago when they all lived together in a house during university days and the secret they have kept hidden all of these years.
Great audio narration told from Pete's perspective.
April 24, 2023
A stag do, six old friends… and a secret they’d all kill to protect.
When Pete and his friends set sail on a private yacht in the Balearics to celebrate Fergus’ upcoming wedding, they’re all looking forward to sun, sea and copious quantities of alcohol.
But there’s a reason they are still entwined in each other’s lives a decade after leaving...
You read 'Adrift' from character Pete. He's with friends on a yacht, celebrating Fergus's upcoming wedding, but soon the mood changes. Something strange happens on the boat and not much later two people suddenly disappear. When the first death also falls, Pete realizes that there is a murderer on the boat. But who is it?
You also keep making jumps to ten years earlier and get to know the group of friends better and better. It becomes clear that strange and intense things happened then too. Is this perhaps related to the current situation?
I thought the beginning of this story started very well and you also feel the tension when the first victims fall. Unfortunately, it kind of fizzled out a bit for me after that. I was very curious about the perpetrator and what had happened in the past.
'Adrift' was certainly nice to read, but it was a little bit disappointing at the end.
A big thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the review copy!
Rating: 3.5 ⭐️
When Pete and his friends set sail on a private yacht in the Balearics to celebrate Fergus’ upcoming wedding, they’re all looking forward to sun, sea and copious quantities of alcohol.
But there’s a reason they are still entwined in each other’s lives a decade after leaving...
You read 'Adrift' from character Pete. He's with friends on a yacht, celebrating Fergus's upcoming wedding, but soon the mood changes. Something strange happens on the boat and not much later two people suddenly disappear. When the first death also falls, Pete realizes that there is a murderer on the boat. But who is it?
You also keep making jumps to ten years earlier and get to know the group of friends better and better. It becomes clear that strange and intense things happened then too. Is this perhaps related to the current situation?
I thought the beginning of this story started very well and you also feel the tension when the first victims fall. Unfortunately, it kind of fizzled out a bit for me after that. I was very curious about the perpetrator and what had happened in the past.
'Adrift' was certainly nice to read, but it was a little bit disappointing at the end.
A big thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the review copy!
Rating: 3.5 ⭐️
May 7, 2023
Oh my goodness, this book left me breathless it was so good! Pete is on a stag weekend as his sister is engaged to Fergus, the host. He's chartered a yacht to take them all away for the weekend and it seems like a grand plan...until it isn't! Alternating in time between past and present, the novel shows the roommates finding the perfect house ten years ago and now on the yacht to celebrate Fergus. Oh, but there are so many secrets and lies! Add in spy cameras, shark attacks, dead animals, and downright creepy rumors that may or may not be true...and you have this brilliant book that kept me up for hours. Don't even attempt to speculate as you will be surprised but oh so satisfied at the end!
Loved it but may never set upon the seas again!
Loved it but may never set upon the seas again!
June 16, 2023
This became of book of two halves: whilst I relished in the claustrophobic, “locked room” murder mystery, I was also frustrated by how far-fetched the story turned. By the end of the novel I had lost interest and felt the revelations were a bit of an anti-climax.
The novel moves equally between the friends’ weekend on the boat, to ten years previous. In this past timeframe, we watch Pete and Harry meet the other people in their group, their university days and how a secret in their past appears to be haunting them on the yacht. Initially I struggled to keep track of the identities of the group; I was grateful for the flashbacks because they helped to establish the different characters.
One by one, it would appear that the friends are being targeted, haunted by an enemy from their past. As the university narrative develops, I enjoyed watching how Pete and his friends are driven to extreme actions. Yet, the most enjoyable element of this timeline was the depiction of university life, prompting me to reminisce on my own experiences. I think Hunter really captures this student living and the temptation of a social life versus studying.
I grew to dislike Sophie’s character and all that she represented. This was where I thought the story started to become unrealistic. How she treats the rest of the group and how she manages her landlord felt rather wrong and I disliked how accepting everyone was. Furthermore, the tenancy agreement that Pete and their friends blindly sign was irritating, especially as Pete is studying law. Their collective naivety and treatment of Sophie was annoyingly dismissive and I disliked how Sophie was presented as the tool to ensure everyone’s protection. Even though Hunter gives more of a backstory to help us understand Sophie’s past, I really was unimpressed with her actions and what she comes to represent. She seems more of a leader of the group and her influence is to just suit her all the time. Her selfishness is reflected in those around her.
By the end of the novel, I was a bit bored by how the story was unfolding and thought the mystery was slowing down in pace. I did not get a sense of danger and tension because of how ill-formed the characters were behaving: not like they had ten years on their university selves, but like they were still fresh from leaving home. The quickness to hide the truth is something that always grates on me with stories and this became no different.
I liked how the story opened with a mystery and a secret, enjoying discovering the truth about what really happened a decade previously. However, I believe this mystery and suspense was lost as I grew irritated by the naivety of the characters.
With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The novel moves equally between the friends’ weekend on the boat, to ten years previous. In this past timeframe, we watch Pete and Harry meet the other people in their group, their university days and how a secret in their past appears to be haunting them on the yacht. Initially I struggled to keep track of the identities of the group; I was grateful for the flashbacks because they helped to establish the different characters.
One by one, it would appear that the friends are being targeted, haunted by an enemy from their past. As the university narrative develops, I enjoyed watching how Pete and his friends are driven to extreme actions. Yet, the most enjoyable element of this timeline was the depiction of university life, prompting me to reminisce on my own experiences. I think Hunter really captures this student living and the temptation of a social life versus studying.
I grew to dislike Sophie’s character and all that she represented. This was where I thought the story started to become unrealistic. How she treats the rest of the group and how she manages her landlord felt rather wrong and I disliked how accepting everyone was. Furthermore, the tenancy agreement that Pete and their friends blindly sign was irritating, especially as Pete is studying law. Their collective naivety and treatment of Sophie was annoyingly dismissive and I disliked how Sophie was presented as the tool to ensure everyone’s protection. Even though Hunter gives more of a backstory to help us understand Sophie’s past, I really was unimpressed with her actions and what she comes to represent. She seems more of a leader of the group and her influence is to just suit her all the time. Her selfishness is reflected in those around her.
By the end of the novel, I was a bit bored by how the story was unfolding and thought the mystery was slowing down in pace. I did not get a sense of danger and tension because of how ill-formed the characters were behaving: not like they had ten years on their university selves, but like they were still fresh from leaving home. The quickness to hide the truth is something that always grates on me with stories and this became no different.
I liked how the story opened with a mystery and a secret, enjoying discovering the truth about what really happened a decade previously. However, I believe this mystery and suspense was lost as I grew irritated by the naivety of the characters.
With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 11, 2023
✨B O O K • T O U R✨
Adrif
4/5⭐️
Blurb: A stag do, six old friends … and a secret they’d all kill to protect.
When Pete and his friends set sail on a private yacht in the Balearics to celebrate Fergus’ upcoming wedding, they’re all looking forward to sun, sea and copious quantities of alcohol.
But there’s a reason they are still entwined in each other’s lives a decade after leaving university. A terrible event they’ve all been trying their hardest to forget.
They say you can’t outrun the past … And these six friends are about to find that out the hard way.
Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/Adriftsocial
Author Bio –
M.A. Hunter is the pen name of Stephen Edger, the Amazon bestselling author of psychological and crime thrillers, including Snatched, and the Kate Matthews series. Born in the north-east of England, he now lives in Southampton where many of his stories are set, allowing him to use his insider knowledge to deliver realistic and unsettling suspense on every page.
Review: Fast-paced and intriguing I couldn’t put this book down. I loved it from the very start to the finish. The characters are well-written and the suspense hits just right and at the right times.
You must read if you like psychological thrillers.
#ad I received an early reader’s copy of this book and leave this review of my own accord. Thanks @bookandtonic and the author @stef.edger !
Adrif
4/5⭐️
Blurb: A stag do, six old friends … and a secret they’d all kill to protect.
When Pete and his friends set sail on a private yacht in the Balearics to celebrate Fergus’ upcoming wedding, they’re all looking forward to sun, sea and copious quantities of alcohol.
But there’s a reason they are still entwined in each other’s lives a decade after leaving university. A terrible event they’ve all been trying their hardest to forget.
They say you can’t outrun the past … And these six friends are about to find that out the hard way.
Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/Adriftsocial
Author Bio –
M.A. Hunter is the pen name of Stephen Edger, the Amazon bestselling author of psychological and crime thrillers, including Snatched, and the Kate Matthews series. Born in the north-east of England, he now lives in Southampton where many of his stories are set, allowing him to use his insider knowledge to deliver realistic and unsettling suspense on every page.
Review: Fast-paced and intriguing I couldn’t put this book down. I loved it from the very start to the finish. The characters are well-written and the suspense hits just right and at the right times.
You must read if you like psychological thrillers.
#ad I received an early reader’s copy of this book and leave this review of my own accord. Thanks @bookandtonic and the author @stef.edger !
April 1, 2023
3.75 stars
Ten years on after university, how well do you know the people you once called your best friends? That's what Pete has to ask himself on a bachelor party weekend with people he's mostly lost contact with. Instead of reconnecting, old tensions flare, and things only get worse when the yacht they're on is suddenly adrift at sea.
Told in two timelines, this story details the secrets of the present and the secrets of the past everyone has tried to keep buried. It is intense and bloody, and constantly took me by surprise. The milquetoast cover art does this book a disservice because it really is a page-turner. A good read for fans of thriller writers like Lucy Foley and Linwood Barclay.
I received this arc for free on netgalley in exchange for a review.
Ten years on after university, how well do you know the people you once called your best friends? That's what Pete has to ask himself on a bachelor party weekend with people he's mostly lost contact with. Instead of reconnecting, old tensions flare, and things only get worse when the yacht they're on is suddenly adrift at sea.
Told in two timelines, this story details the secrets of the present and the secrets of the past everyone has tried to keep buried. It is intense and bloody, and constantly took me by surprise. The milquetoast cover art does this book a disservice because it really is a page-turner. A good read for fans of thriller writers like Lucy Foley and Linwood Barclay.
I received this arc for free on netgalley in exchange for a review.
June 21, 2023
This was an action packed thriller filled with secrets. I loved the idea of this book and the concept, the author did a very good job in making the reader immersed in the story. It was a bloody and intense ride.
The plot was great, it felt real, this is definitely a story that could happen. It's a fast read that's for sure. The past and the present chapters were intricately done and gave you just the right information without giving too much away. The concept of being stuck on a Yacht I loved that so much. Makes for a great summer read !! There were twists and turns throughout it all and makes you want more after each chapter. The characters were well written, easy to relate to but hard to know who to trust.
It was a very well written thriller, it was clever, twisty and kept me hooked. All the emotions felt by the passengers on the boat I could feel them all. There were some gory details regarding some events and honestly it was perfect it just made it better.
The narrator was great, I really liked his storytelling skills and his intonation.
If you're looking for a fast paced, action packed, bloody page turning thriller add this to your summer TBR !
My Rating : ✭✭✭✭
✨️Thank you to @netgalley, @bookandtonic & @stef.edger for my free ARC & AUDIO in exchange for an honest review.
The plot was great, it felt real, this is definitely a story that could happen. It's a fast read that's for sure. The past and the present chapters were intricately done and gave you just the right information without giving too much away. The concept of being stuck on a Yacht I loved that so much. Makes for a great summer read !! There were twists and turns throughout it all and makes you want more after each chapter. The characters were well written, easy to relate to but hard to know who to trust.
It was a very well written thriller, it was clever, twisty and kept me hooked. All the emotions felt by the passengers on the boat I could feel them all. There were some gory details regarding some events and honestly it was perfect it just made it better.
The narrator was great, I really liked his storytelling skills and his intonation.
If you're looking for a fast paced, action packed, bloody page turning thriller add this to your summer TBR !
My Rating : ✭✭✭✭
✨️Thank you to @netgalley, @bookandtonic & @stef.edger for my free ARC & AUDIO in exchange for an honest review.
January 11, 2026
3.5 stars, kept me interested and didn’t want to put down.
July 6, 2023
I listened to the audiobook of this and loved it, the author really builds the tension, which the narrator portrays perfectly.
I liked the different timelines, normally with dual timelines I have a preference, but I liked these both the same. Sophie was my favourite character, I felt for her so much in the university days,
This is a must for any thriller lovers.
I liked the different timelines, normally with dual timelines I have a preference, but I liked these both the same. Sophie was my favourite character, I felt for her so much in the university days,
This is a must for any thriller lovers.
May 4, 2023
This is a good read and something different to get stuck into.
Six friends decide to hire a yacht for a stag party and things start off well, but there’s someone on board who wants revenge.
The story is told in the present day on the yacht, and also ten years ago when they all shared a house while at university.
Something happened ten years ago and it seems one of them has some issues with the others.
This is a good mystery thriller but it lacked a little something for me.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Six friends decide to hire a yacht for a stag party and things start off well, but there’s someone on board who wants revenge.
The story is told in the present day on the yacht, and also ten years ago when they all shared a house while at university.
Something happened ten years ago and it seems one of them has some issues with the others.
This is a good mystery thriller but it lacked a little something for me.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
June 22, 2023
While I had high hopes for the book, I found myself not entirely connected to the characters and lacking a sense of fascination throughout. However, the dual timeline concept was a compelling aspect that piqued my curiosity. I found myself yearning for more exploration of the past and its connection to the present, where everything seemed to go wrong.
One of the strengths of the book was the prevalence of secrets and lies, which added an element of intrigue. However, it felt as though a single person played a disproportionately significant role in the story, making the overall plot somewhat unrealistic. Additionally, I struggled to establish a connection with the protagonist, as they came across as immature and difficult to relate to.
Despite these drawbacks, the fast-paced writing style kept me engaged. The narration was skillfully done, enhancing the overall reading experience. Perhaps those who can relate to the characters on a deeper level and are willing to overlook the lack of believability will be able to fully appreciate the story as it is.
In conclusion, while the book didn't fully capture my attention and lacked the desired level of character connection, it still offered a fast-paced narrative and an intriguing dual timeline. The skillful narration added depth to the story, making it a potential choice for readers who can overlook certain flaws and fully immerse themselves in the plot.
One of the strengths of the book was the prevalence of secrets and lies, which added an element of intrigue. However, it felt as though a single person played a disproportionately significant role in the story, making the overall plot somewhat unrealistic. Additionally, I struggled to establish a connection with the protagonist, as they came across as immature and difficult to relate to.
Despite these drawbacks, the fast-paced writing style kept me engaged. The narration was skillfully done, enhancing the overall reading experience. Perhaps those who can relate to the characters on a deeper level and are willing to overlook the lack of believability will be able to fully appreciate the story as it is.
In conclusion, while the book didn't fully capture my attention and lacked the desired level of character connection, it still offered a fast-paced narrative and an intriguing dual timeline. The skillful narration added depth to the story, making it a potential choice for readers who can overlook certain flaws and fully immerse themselves in the plot.
May 7, 2023
Adrift is death in paradise! No offence Saint-Marie but this book has sea, sun, friends and murder! It’s meant to be a celebration as one of the group is getting married but some on board has other ideas! The question is in this Mediterranean Sea based locked room thriller WHO IS THE KILLER?!?!
Anyone is a suspect given there is nowhere for them to go! As the bodies drop, the suspect pool gets smaller so surely identifying the killer should be easy. But as we all know, there is always that chance someone you think is dead isn’t really unless you have the body – is that the case on this boat?! You’ll have to read it to find out!!
The split timeline with the jumps back a decade kept the present day pace on a leash but only just. The student day chapters dragged me back from the deadly sun to lay the foundations and red herrings to one helluva climax. I didn’t see what Hunter had planned as a finale! That was just WTF!! Talk about twisted!! Adrift is a fast paced thriller that I seriously enjoyed. Hunter threw so much at me with clues and suggestions for motive and execution, I really didn’t know what to think! Excellent thriller!
Anyone is a suspect given there is nowhere for them to go! As the bodies drop, the suspect pool gets smaller so surely identifying the killer should be easy. But as we all know, there is always that chance someone you think is dead isn’t really unless you have the body – is that the case on this boat?! You’ll have to read it to find out!!
The split timeline with the jumps back a decade kept the present day pace on a leash but only just. The student day chapters dragged me back from the deadly sun to lay the foundations and red herrings to one helluva climax. I didn’t see what Hunter had planned as a finale! That was just WTF!! Talk about twisted!! Adrift is a fast paced thriller that I seriously enjoyed. Hunter threw so much at me with clues and suggestions for motive and execution, I really didn’t know what to think! Excellent thriller!
April 24, 2023
Pete and his friends have set sail for their friend, Fergus’ stag do on a private yacht ahead of his wedding to Pete’s sister. They’re all looking forward to an amazing week of sun and sea and loads of drinks of course. They’ve been in each others lives for over 10 years now, they know everything about each other, or do they?
Soon after they board the yacht, strange things start happening and people start disappearing. Pete realizes there is a murderer on the boat. But these are all his friends, so it’s not possible. Or is it?
The story flashes back in chapters ten years ago to show their relationship in how they all met and how their relationships grew over the course of time as well as the present timeline on the boat.
For me, the story started strong and it weakened a little as it went along, but I never found myself bored-I was curious to see how it was going to play out.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
Soon after they board the yacht, strange things start happening and people start disappearing. Pete realizes there is a murderer on the boat. But these are all his friends, so it’s not possible. Or is it?
The story flashes back in chapters ten years ago to show their relationship in how they all met and how their relationships grew over the course of time as well as the present timeline on the boat.
For me, the story started strong and it weakened a little as it went along, but I never found myself bored-I was curious to see how it was going to play out.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
June 21, 2023
I loved this book, and I did not see the ending coming at all! I thought I had it sussed out but I was wrong. I was hooked from the first page of this, it's told through one person's perspective, Pete, and revolves between the stag party weekend on a private yacht and 10 years previously when the main characters lived together in a seriously too good to be true student house. The landlord is beyond creepy and makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up whenever he's mentioned. Will definitely read more by M.A. Hunter. If you like the whole 'And Then There Were None' kind of plot (like me) then you'll devour this!
January 16, 2026
I did enjoy this whodunnit overall, particularly once the story found its stride. The opening chapter introduces a large number of characters very quickly, and I’ll admit it took me a while to keep track of who was who and properly differentiate between them. That may just be my brain needing a bit of time to settle names and faces (in my head lol), but it did make the start feel slightly overwhelming. That said, as is often the case with this genre, the book really picked up in the final quarter, with the tension ramping up.
I’m also a shark LOVER so the fact this book had a few sharks in was fab.
I’m also a shark LOVER so the fact this book had a few sharks in was fab.
October 1, 2023
3.5
I enjoyed this different take on a locked room mystery, sort of the opposite really as it's set on a yacht in the middle of nowhere but still with a limited cast of suspects.
I've read a lot of similar novels but these have always been groups of couples or a ladies' holiday so this novel, which features a stag party, was a different slant again.
However I didn't find the characters likeable and some of the dialogue didn't quite seem right, or certainly not how I remember speaking as a uni student (even a book-loving one!).
I enjoyed this different take on a locked room mystery, sort of the opposite really as it's set on a yacht in the middle of nowhere but still with a limited cast of suspects.
I've read a lot of similar novels but these have always been groups of couples or a ladies' holiday so this novel, which features a stag party, was a different slant again.
However I didn't find the characters likeable and some of the dialogue didn't quite seem right, or certainly not how I remember speaking as a uni student (even a book-loving one!).
April 27, 2023
Six university friends on a rented yacht in the Balearics for a stag do. What could possibly go wrong?
The story is told in two timeliness, 10 years ago and the present day on the yacht.
I found this book to be more if a whodunit rather than a thriller/psychological thriller, but this didn't affect my enjoyment or stop me reading late into the night. It was one of those books where I kept changing my mind about who done it.
I would recommend this book and I shall look at reading more from this author.
Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for this advance read.
The story is told in two timeliness, 10 years ago and the present day on the yacht.
I found this book to be more if a whodunit rather than a thriller/psychological thriller, but this didn't affect my enjoyment or stop me reading late into the night. It was one of those books where I kept changing my mind about who done it.
I would recommend this book and I shall look at reading more from this author.
Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for this advance read.
July 17, 2024
2.5 rounded up.
The first 2 chapters were really just introducing characters, and I found it a bit slow, then I was flying through it. I was so excited to get to the end and finally find out what happened but it felt a bit flat. I didn't expect it, but I thought it would be more interesting than it ended up being. The last 2 chapters were also a bit of a let down, but aside from that I enjoyed it.
The first 2 chapters were really just introducing characters, and I found it a bit slow, then I was flying through it. I was so excited to get to the end and finally find out what happened but it felt a bit flat. I didn't expect it, but I thought it would be more interesting than it ended up being. The last 2 chapters were also a bit of a let down, but aside from that I enjoyed it.
April 29, 2023
My thoughts:
When six old friends get together to celebrate and throw a bachelor party aboard a yacht what could go wrong?. But soon people start disappearing and then someone murder. Told over two different timelines this story will pull you in and keep you reading until you find out who’s doing what and why.
When six old friends get together to celebrate and throw a bachelor party aboard a yacht what could go wrong?. But soon people start disappearing and then someone murder. Told over two different timelines this story will pull you in and keep you reading until you find out who’s doing what and why.
August 20, 2025
I found this book to be slow paced and not as gripping as I had hoped. It is well written and the chapters are nice and short. I liked how it easily flowed from present to the past and you weren't lost in the storyline.
I felt that there was not punch to the novel. It needed more of a twist and more more behind it.
I don't think I would recommend this even though I enjoyed parts of it.
I felt that there was not punch to the novel. It needed more of a twist and more more behind it.
I don't think I would recommend this even though I enjoyed parts of it.
June 16, 2023
It was a good, quick and easy read. A few parts were a little far fetched but overall a very enjoyable book to read.
April 24, 2024
Edge of your seat thriller
Action packed thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. There’s so many lies and deceit along the way.
Action packed thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. There’s so many lies and deceit along the way.
December 4, 2025
That ending😳
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2026
It's like a Freida McFadden book if Freida was British
December 21, 2023
Thrilling
August 18, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed this book! Very fast paced..
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews