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Dead Below Deck
When an heiress disappears from her superyacht and security footage shows her getting pushed, the main suspect has to prove her innocence in this thrilling mystery at sea told in reverse chronological order, perfect for fans of Karen McManus and Genuine Fraud.
It was supposed to be the best-ever girls’ five days, four friends, one luxury yacht, no parents. But on the final night, as the yacht cruised the deep and dark waters between Florida and Grand Cayman, eighteen-year-old heiress Giselle vanished. She’s nowhere to be found the next morning even after a frantic search, until security footage surfaces . . . showing Maggie pushing her overboard.
But Maggie has no memory of what happened. All she knows is that she woke up with a throbbing headache, thousands of dollars in cash in her safe, a passport that isn’t hers, and Giselle’s diary. And while Maggie had her own reasons to want Giselle dead, so did everyone else on jealous Viv, calculating Emi, even some members of the staff.
What really went down on the top deck that night? Maggie will have to work her way backward to uncover the secrets that everyone—even Giselle—kept below deck or she’s dead in the water.
Jan Gangsei crafts a compulsively readable tale of privilege, family, and identity wrapped in a wholly original mystery that will keep readers on the edges of their seats until the final twist.
It was supposed to be the best-ever girls’ five days, four friends, one luxury yacht, no parents. But on the final night, as the yacht cruised the deep and dark waters between Florida and Grand Cayman, eighteen-year-old heiress Giselle vanished. She’s nowhere to be found the next morning even after a frantic search, until security footage surfaces . . . showing Maggie pushing her overboard.
But Maggie has no memory of what happened. All she knows is that she woke up with a throbbing headache, thousands of dollars in cash in her safe, a passport that isn’t hers, and Giselle’s diary. And while Maggie had her own reasons to want Giselle dead, so did everyone else on jealous Viv, calculating Emi, even some members of the staff.
What really went down on the top deck that night? Maggie will have to work her way backward to uncover the secrets that everyone—even Giselle—kept below deck or she’s dead in the water.
Jan Gangsei crafts a compulsively readable tale of privilege, family, and identity wrapped in a wholly original mystery that will keep readers on the edges of their seats until the final twist.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published November 19, 2024
53 people are currently reading
7954 people want to read
About the author
Jan Gangsei
5 books143 followersJan Gangsei grew up in small-town Vermont, reading Nancy Drew mysteries, putting on backyard shows with her best friend and dreaming about exploring the world. After college, she landed a job as a newspaper reporter covering politics and the police beat. She's lived in Key West, New York City, Barbados, and is now settled in the DC metro area, where she writes full time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
January 19, 2025
An intoxicating tale that sucked me right in, Dead Below Deck had it all to keep me firmly in suspense. With a cloak-and-dagger reverse timeline and mixed media format, the deftly obscured holes to the story left me happily in the dark until the final timely reveal. And let me tell you, it was one heck of a twist. Despite masterfully hiding the truth, there were plenty of perfectly placed clues alongside the clever red herrings. All said, the plot was the work of a master, no doubt about it.
Thanks in part to the format, however, the characters didn’t feel quite as well-developed as I would have liked. Well, other than Giselle and Maggie, that is. Due to their dual POVs, they were a tad more fleshed out as we got riveting glimpses into their backstories through their individual flashbacks. Tinged with mature themes, I was pulled into their stories even if I wasn’t drawn to root for either of these friends turned enemies. Just the same, I loved the final turn of events, even if I would have loved to see it play out on the page as the ending felt somewhat abrupt.
The only piece to this complex, well-organized plot that somewhat missed the mark was what originally drew me to the premise. After all, as the pages unraveled in reverse chronological order, I had to focus extra hard. Despite this, however, when the last bomb of a reveal dropped at my feet, I was duly impressed. Ingenious and crafty, it took me totally by surprise. And if you know me at all then you know that I think that those are the BEST kinds of twists.
All in all, from the dark, mysterious secrets to the toxic teen drama, I was easily under Ms. Gangsei’s spell. Granted, I had to suspend all disbelief, but as soon as I did, I was under its thrall. I mean, with flawed, morally gray characters, a posh setting, and well-hidden motives, it was an out-and-out winner for sure. Intricately plotted and staged with unreliable narrators, I guarantee that is one book that will manage to evade even the most savvy of sleuths. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
It was supposed to be the best-ever girls’ trip: five days, four friends, one luxury yacht, no parents. But on the final night, as the yacht cruised the deep and dark waters between Florida and Grand Cayman, eighteen-year-old heiress Giselle vanished. She’s nowhere to be found the next morning even after a frantic search, until security footage surfaces…showing Maggie pushing her overboard.
But Maggie has no memory of what happened. All she knows is that she woke up with a throbbing headache, thousands of dollars in cash in her safe, a passport that isn’t hers, and Giselle’s diary. And while Maggie had her own reasons to want Giselle dead, so did everyone else on board: jealous Viv, calculating Emi, even some members of the staff.
What really went down on the top deck that night? Maggie will have to work her way backward to uncover the secrets that everyone—even Giselle—kept below deck or she’s dead in the water.
Thank you to Jan Gangsei, Harper Books, and MBC Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: November 19, 2024
Trigger warning: underage drinking, stuttering, bullying, mention of: death of a parent, rohypnol use, PTSD
Thanks in part to the format, however, the characters didn’t feel quite as well-developed as I would have liked. Well, other than Giselle and Maggie, that is. Due to their dual POVs, they were a tad more fleshed out as we got riveting glimpses into their backstories through their individual flashbacks. Tinged with mature themes, I was pulled into their stories even if I wasn’t drawn to root for either of these friends turned enemies. Just the same, I loved the final turn of events, even if I would have loved to see it play out on the page as the ending felt somewhat abrupt.
The only piece to this complex, well-organized plot that somewhat missed the mark was what originally drew me to the premise. After all, as the pages unraveled in reverse chronological order, I had to focus extra hard. Despite this, however, when the last bomb of a reveal dropped at my feet, I was duly impressed. Ingenious and crafty, it took me totally by surprise. And if you know me at all then you know that I think that those are the BEST kinds of twists.
All in all, from the dark, mysterious secrets to the toxic teen drama, I was easily under Ms. Gangsei’s spell. Granted, I had to suspend all disbelief, but as soon as I did, I was under its thrall. I mean, with flawed, morally gray characters, a posh setting, and well-hidden motives, it was an out-and-out winner for sure. Intricately plotted and staged with unreliable narrators, I guarantee that is one book that will manage to evade even the most savvy of sleuths. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
It was supposed to be the best-ever girls’ trip: five days, four friends, one luxury yacht, no parents. But on the final night, as the yacht cruised the deep and dark waters between Florida and Grand Cayman, eighteen-year-old heiress Giselle vanished. She’s nowhere to be found the next morning even after a frantic search, until security footage surfaces…showing Maggie pushing her overboard.
But Maggie has no memory of what happened. All she knows is that she woke up with a throbbing headache, thousands of dollars in cash in her safe, a passport that isn’t hers, and Giselle’s diary. And while Maggie had her own reasons to want Giselle dead, so did everyone else on board: jealous Viv, calculating Emi, even some members of the staff.
What really went down on the top deck that night? Maggie will have to work her way backward to uncover the secrets that everyone—even Giselle—kept below deck or she’s dead in the water.
Thank you to Jan Gangsei, Harper Books, and MBC Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: November 19, 2024
Trigger warning: underage drinking, stuttering, bullying, mention of: death of a parent, rohypnol use, PTSD
August 24, 2024
3.5/5
This was my first time reading something that was written in reverse chronological order and it was really cool (though a little confusing at the beginning). The format lets the readers pick up on clues as everything slowly comes together. The flashbacks in the form of Giselle’s diary entries were also a nice touch. This is more for a high school audience, so we follow along with the drama between these teenage girls on a spring break cruise here. The incorporation of the interview transcripts and text messages also built into the suspense. The switches between Maggie and Giselle’s POVs were interesting because as the story went on, I found myself trying to determine whose narration was more reliable.
I was also not expecting those reveals by the end. I still wanted more from this because it felt like there were other subplots that remained unresolved and could have contributed even more to the shock-factor behind the huge twist. I also wanted more closure from the other characters because the ending felt very abrupt. Overall, a pretty fun read and a quick YA mystery/thriller debut by this author!
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!
This was my first time reading something that was written in reverse chronological order and it was really cool (though a little confusing at the beginning). The format lets the readers pick up on clues as everything slowly comes together. The flashbacks in the form of Giselle’s diary entries were also a nice touch. This is more for a high school audience, so we follow along with the drama between these teenage girls on a spring break cruise here. The incorporation of the interview transcripts and text messages also built into the suspense. The switches between Maggie and Giselle’s POVs were interesting because as the story went on, I found myself trying to determine whose narration was more reliable.
I was also not expecting those reveals by the end. I still wanted more from this because it felt like there were other subplots that remained unresolved and could have contributed even more to the shock-factor behind the huge twist. I also wanted more closure from the other characters because the ending felt very abrupt. Overall, a pretty fun read and a quick YA mystery/thriller debut by this author!
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!
December 30, 2024
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
Everyone has secrets, and privileged girls from wealthy families seem to have more than most. When Giselle, the daughter of a senator and stepdaughter of a celebrity influencer, decides to take the family yacht from Key West to the Grand Cayman islands with her best friends from school, several of these secrets come to light with tragic results. Along for the trip is Maggie, whose sudden appearance at the girls' prep school leads to questions about her background, Viv, who is an Instagram influencer in her own right, and Emi, who is Giselle's long time best friend. The story starts on the last day of the trip, when Maggie wakes up in a hungover fog. No one has seen Giselle; she's not joined Emi and Viv for their sunrise yoga. When she isn't in her room and the crew hasn't seen her, the girls check the boat's surveillance camera... and see that she's fallen overboard. Or, more accurately, Maggie has pushed her. The police are called, and Maggie, who has no memory of the event, tries to marshall her resources to try to piece together what has happened. Through police interviews, Giselle's diary entries, and flashbacks, we get a better picture of what has occurred both on the trip and before it. Maggie was really kicked out of a Swiss boarding school, and her father isn't a spy; he's been overseas, but as a soldier, and has returned home with PTSD that has endangered the family's survival. Not only that, but she uncovered a scandal at her school and managed to turn that into scholarship money for the prep school. Giselle, whose therapist suggested she keep a journal, misses her deceased mother and has a complicated and thorny relationship with her father and stepmother. Even Viv and Emi aren't all they seem to be. As we see the trip unfolding backwards in a drunken haze of expensive champagne and ill-advised partying, we learn about secrets that could tear apart both the prep school and the girls' carefully constructed personal lives. Will Maggie be able to figure out what happened to Giselle before the police do, and will her part in the senator's daughter's disappearance ever make sense?
This had so many twists and turns that I don't want to ruin key points in the story. Let's just say that I was very surprised at the end, and I am rarely surprised! I've read a couple of other books that embrace this backwards mystery format, like Fields' 2008 Holdup or Cadnum's 2010 Flash, but it's clearly not an overdone way to present the mystery!
I was familiar with Gangsei's fantastic middle grade titles like Project Me 2.0 and The Wild Bunch (of which I have TWO copies in my middle school library!), but had forgotten about her 2016 young adult Zero Day. She does an equally good job at both levels of interest, and has quite the eye for depicting well-to-do teens.
While the friend's secrets that are revealed aren't too devastating, they are hard for the girls to deal with. It's the interplay that goes on while people aren't sure what others know, and the tension involved with trying to keep these secrets to oneself, that keep this book taut and engaging.
It shouldn't be surprising that suspense thrillers and murder mysteries appeal to teens, since there are so many published for adults. Dead Below Deck will appeal to readers who liked titles like Barnes' The Lovely and the Lost, Corrigan's I Will Follow, Otis' At the Speed of Lies, or Johnson's new Death at Morning House.
Everyone has secrets, and privileged girls from wealthy families seem to have more than most. When Giselle, the daughter of a senator and stepdaughter of a celebrity influencer, decides to take the family yacht from Key West to the Grand Cayman islands with her best friends from school, several of these secrets come to light with tragic results. Along for the trip is Maggie, whose sudden appearance at the girls' prep school leads to questions about her background, Viv, who is an Instagram influencer in her own right, and Emi, who is Giselle's long time best friend. The story starts on the last day of the trip, when Maggie wakes up in a hungover fog. No one has seen Giselle; she's not joined Emi and Viv for their sunrise yoga. When she isn't in her room and the crew hasn't seen her, the girls check the boat's surveillance camera... and see that she's fallen overboard. Or, more accurately, Maggie has pushed her. The police are called, and Maggie, who has no memory of the event, tries to marshall her resources to try to piece together what has happened. Through police interviews, Giselle's diary entries, and flashbacks, we get a better picture of what has occurred both on the trip and before it. Maggie was really kicked out of a Swiss boarding school, and her father isn't a spy; he's been overseas, but as a soldier, and has returned home with PTSD that has endangered the family's survival. Not only that, but she uncovered a scandal at her school and managed to turn that into scholarship money for the prep school. Giselle, whose therapist suggested she keep a journal, misses her deceased mother and has a complicated and thorny relationship with her father and stepmother. Even Viv and Emi aren't all they seem to be. As we see the trip unfolding backwards in a drunken haze of expensive champagne and ill-advised partying, we learn about secrets that could tear apart both the prep school and the girls' carefully constructed personal lives. Will Maggie be able to figure out what happened to Giselle before the police do, and will her part in the senator's daughter's disappearance ever make sense?
This had so many twists and turns that I don't want to ruin key points in the story. Let's just say that I was very surprised at the end, and I am rarely surprised! I've read a couple of other books that embrace this backwards mystery format, like Fields' 2008 Holdup or Cadnum's 2010 Flash, but it's clearly not an overdone way to present the mystery!
I was familiar with Gangsei's fantastic middle grade titles like Project Me 2.0 and The Wild Bunch (of which I have TWO copies in my middle school library!), but had forgotten about her 2016 young adult Zero Day. She does an equally good job at both levels of interest, and has quite the eye for depicting well-to-do teens.
While the friend's secrets that are revealed aren't too devastating, they are hard for the girls to deal with. It's the interplay that goes on while people aren't sure what others know, and the tension involved with trying to keep these secrets to oneself, that keep this book taut and engaging.
It shouldn't be surprising that suspense thrillers and murder mysteries appeal to teens, since there are so many published for adults. Dead Below Deck will appeal to readers who liked titles like Barnes' The Lovely and the Lost, Corrigan's I Will Follow, Otis' At the Speed of Lies, or Johnson's new Death at Morning House.
January 8, 2025
Every once in a while, I come across a thriller that keeps me on the edge of my seat, with enough *feels* to have me rooting for a character who may just be the culprit. Eileen Cook’s WITH MALICE and Abigail Haas’s DANGEROUS GIRLS are two books I can reread multiple times and always have the same feeling. DEAD BELOW DECK just might join that exclusive club.
DEAD BELOW DECK, which is told from end to beginning might not be for everyone, but for me Jan Gansei got it right with the book’s layout.
Told from the points of view of missing heiress Giselle and her classmate, scholarship student Maggie’s narrative, readers learn about the lives of the very different teenagers. I wasn’t certain as to the reliability of these young women’s accounts, or whether I could trust them.
I figured out a few of the twists, but not the biggest ones. I can’t wait to reread DEAD BELOW DECK.
DEAD BELOW DECK, which is told from end to beginning might not be for everyone, but for me Jan Gansei got it right with the book’s layout.
Told from the points of view of missing heiress Giselle and her classmate, scholarship student Maggie’s narrative, readers learn about the lives of the very different teenagers. I wasn’t certain as to the reliability of these young women’s accounts, or whether I could trust them.
I figured out a few of the twists, but not the biggest ones. I can’t wait to reread DEAD BELOW DECK.
May 1, 2024
4.8 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars! Very creative move to tell the story in reverse chronological order. The timeline and pacing are excellent. The setting is brilliant and enticing. I could figure out some of the twists and not all of them, which makes this YA text a really fun read. The characters aren’t the most deeply developed. The ending is …. Read it and let me know what you think!
Thank you #NetGalley and #HarperCollins for the ARC!
Thank you #NetGalley and #HarperCollins for the ARC!
July 27, 2025
3.5/5
Unterhaltsamer und verworrener Jugendthriller mit viel Potential 🤓
Schon lange vor Release hattr ich ein Auge auf die Geschichte geworfen und musste dann sofort das Hörbuch anfangen 😊
Der Aufbau der Geschichte ist mega interessant gemacht. Die Geschehnisse werden rückwärts erzählt, wobei zwischendurch immer wieder Tagebucheinträge, Chatverläufe und Polizeiprotokolle eingestreut werden 🤓
Das war irgendwie ziemlich genial und innovativ 🥰 so blieben sehr lange Geheimnisse und die wahren Absichten verborgen und die Spannung ist auf einem konstanten Level 😊
Das hat dafür gesorgt, dass ich ständig wissen wollte wie es weitergeht und es einfach eine starke Sogwirkung auf mich hatte 🤓
Ich bin ehrlich....gebau dieser Aufbau und Ablauf der Story ist für mich auch der größte Kritikpunkt...
Ich war ständig dabei einzelne Geschehnisse und Details abzuspeichern, um nicht den Überblick zu verlieren, da es natürlich öfters auch einen Ortswechsel gibt und mehr Personen eingeführt werden . Zudem konnte ich anfangs die Mädelsgruppe gar nicht richtig greifen. Ich konnte kein wirkliche Verbindung aufbauen und alle verhielten sich auch sehr distanziert. Empfand und Vivi habe ich im Kopf auch so oft vertauscht 🤣 erst nach ca 50% habe ich ein Gefühl dafür bekommen, wie jeder so tickt 🤣
Leider habe ich die große Auflösung schon sehr früh gewusst, da ich schon einige Filme und Bücher mit solch einem Twist kenne 🤓
Doch die Umsetzung war halt sehr interessant und unterhaltsam inszeniert 🤓
Unterhaltsamer und verworrener Jugendthriller mit viel Potential 🤓
Schon lange vor Release hattr ich ein Auge auf die Geschichte geworfen und musste dann sofort das Hörbuch anfangen 😊
Der Aufbau der Geschichte ist mega interessant gemacht. Die Geschehnisse werden rückwärts erzählt, wobei zwischendurch immer wieder Tagebucheinträge, Chatverläufe und Polizeiprotokolle eingestreut werden 🤓
Das war irgendwie ziemlich genial und innovativ 🥰 so blieben sehr lange Geheimnisse und die wahren Absichten verborgen und die Spannung ist auf einem konstanten Level 😊
Das hat dafür gesorgt, dass ich ständig wissen wollte wie es weitergeht und es einfach eine starke Sogwirkung auf mich hatte 🤓
Ich bin ehrlich....gebau dieser Aufbau und Ablauf der Story ist für mich auch der größte Kritikpunkt...
Ich war ständig dabei einzelne Geschehnisse und Details abzuspeichern, um nicht den Überblick zu verlieren, da es natürlich öfters auch einen Ortswechsel gibt und mehr Personen eingeführt werden . Zudem konnte ich anfangs die Mädelsgruppe gar nicht richtig greifen. Ich konnte kein wirkliche Verbindung aufbauen und alle verhielten sich auch sehr distanziert. Empfand und Vivi habe ich im Kopf auch so oft vertauscht 🤣 erst nach ca 50% habe ich ein Gefühl dafür bekommen, wie jeder so tickt 🤣
Leider habe ich die große Auflösung schon sehr früh gewusst, da ich schon einige Filme und Bücher mit solch einem Twist kenne 🤓
Doch die Umsetzung war halt sehr interessant und unterhaltsam inszeniert 🤓
November 22, 2024
I had so much fun reading this twisty thriller by Jan Gangsei. Told in multiple POVs and mixed media with one in reverse chronological order, I stayed up way too late reading this because I was so intrigued.
A girl’s trip on an insanely decked out heiress’s yacht turns deadly in this YA cat and mouse tale.
I loved that one of the POVs was told backwards and another from beginning to end. When everything met at the end, I was completely thrown by the crazy twists that were revealed. Loved it!
*Thanks so much to the author, @HarperCollins, and @mbc_books for the gifted finished copy!*
A girl’s trip on an insanely decked out heiress’s yacht turns deadly in this YA cat and mouse tale.
I loved that one of the POVs was told backwards and another from beginning to end. When everything met at the end, I was completely thrown by the crazy twists that were revealed. Loved it!
*Thanks so much to the author, @HarperCollins, and @mbc_books for the gifted finished copy!*
March 16, 2025
I don’t think this would have been nearly as good if it had been told normally, but the backwards storytelling kept me super engaged.
December 10, 2024
4.2 ⭐️
I quite enjoyed reading this YA suspense, and watching it unfold in a reverse chronological timeline.
🪝It held me captive from the beginning, offering in depth perspectives of the two main characters, often toying with my take on whether they were friends or frenemies. I was intrigued by their complicated relationship (it’s giving YA rich bich with deep seeded issues movie vibes), and loved taking a peek inside their brains (is she really mean? Or is it a front?), but I do felt the side characters were a little too hidden in the story and would love to have had a little more from them.
🧩As for a solvability, I was able to figure out the concept of what was going on pretty early, but fortunately there weren’t enough clues to hone in on the “why” until 80% in, and at that point you are so fully invested that it’s almost impossible to not stay tuned for the “how” and ending.
This book is great for a YA fanbase, and I look forward to seeing how the author continues to develop their writing in the YA space.
Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins, and Jan Gangsei for providing me with a complimentary ARC to review!
I quite enjoyed reading this YA suspense, and watching it unfold in a reverse chronological timeline.
🪝It held me captive from the beginning, offering in depth perspectives of the two main characters, often toying with my take on whether they were friends or frenemies. I was intrigued by their complicated relationship (it’s giving YA rich bich with deep seeded issues movie vibes), and loved taking a peek inside their brains (is she really mean? Or is it a front?), but I do felt the side characters were a little too hidden in the story and would love to have had a little more from them.
🧩As for a solvability, I was able to figure out the concept of what was going on pretty early, but fortunately there weren’t enough clues to hone in on the “why” until 80% in, and at that point you are so fully invested that it’s almost impossible to not stay tuned for the “how” and ending.
This book is great for a YA fanbase, and I look forward to seeing how the author continues to develop their writing in the YA space.
Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins, and Jan Gangsei for providing me with a complimentary ARC to review!
December 13, 2024
4.5 stars
This was a fun one! I loved the reverse timeline aspect and the way it was told from Maggie's pov and Giselle's journal entries (very gone girl-esque). Maggie had the biggest motive but I also enjoyed the fact that all of the characters also had a motive; this kept me guessing until the very end.
I had no idea where this book was going, but the twists at the end were truly shocking, and I was pleasantly surprised. The ending is a bit open-ended, which I forgive since it matches the vibe of the book.
My only gripe is that I wish I got to see more of the relationship between the characters. Maggie and Alison and Giselle and Wyatt especially - since both of these are integral to the plot and motives of these two main characters.
Can't wait to read whatever Jan Gangsei writes next!
This was a fun one! I loved the reverse timeline aspect and the way it was told from Maggie's pov and Giselle's journal entries (very gone girl-esque). Maggie had the biggest motive but I also enjoyed the fact that all of the characters also had a motive; this kept me guessing until the very end.
I had no idea where this book was going, but the twists at the end were truly shocking, and I was pleasantly surprised. The ending is a bit open-ended, which I forgive since it matches the vibe of the book.
My only gripe is that I wish I got to see more of the relationship between the characters. Maggie and Alison and Giselle and Wyatt especially - since both of these are integral to the plot and motives of these two main characters.
Can't wait to read whatever Jan Gangsei writes next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2024
Dead Below Deck is a suspenseful, young adult thriller about four friends on a Spring Break trip that turns to tragedy when the young heiress whose father owns the yacht disappears. One of the friends on the trip, Maggie Mitchell is the main suspect in what appears to be an open and shut case. However, there are more motives and secrets surrounding the life of the wealthy Giselle Haverford than it looks like at first glance and not everything is the way it appears. As the story progresses, it's clear there are a lot of people who may have wanted to do away with Giselle.
I love the unique way this story is told. Much of it is from Maggie's point-of-view, but it starts with Day 5 of the trip and works backwards to the beginning of the trip. While this part is told in reverse chronological order, there are also journal entries from Giselle with her version of some of the events, and those entries are alternated with Maggie's narrative, but they are presented in chronological order. We get to know both main characters very well, but the characters of the other two young women on the trip aren't as well-developed. Near the end of the book, we are back in the present and I was very surprised at some of the things that are revealed. I enjoyed the way the author told a suspenseful, engaging story.
I received a review copy of this book from the author and MBC Books, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
I love the unique way this story is told. Much of it is from Maggie's point-of-view, but it starts with Day 5 of the trip and works backwards to the beginning of the trip. While this part is told in reverse chronological order, there are also journal entries from Giselle with her version of some of the events, and those entries are alternated with Maggie's narrative, but they are presented in chronological order. We get to know both main characters very well, but the characters of the other two young women on the trip aren't as well-developed. Near the end of the book, we are back in the present and I was very surprised at some of the things that are revealed. I enjoyed the way the author told a suspenseful, engaging story.
I received a review copy of this book from the author and MBC Books, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
July 28, 2025
Girls‘ trip von Jan Gangsei / Rezension
Teen drama, mean girls und Geheimnisse: Das war mein erstes Buch der Autorin und darum geht es inhaltlich:
Giselle nimmt 3 ihrer Freundinnen mit auf einen mehrtägigen Yachttrip. Aber die Dinge sind nicht so wie sie scheinen.
Leider hat mir das Buch nicht so gut gefallen. Es hat vielversprechend angefangen und grundsätzlich mag ich Young Adult Thriller sehr gern. Hier kamen aber zu viele Faktoren zusammen, die das Lesen nicht so schön gemacht haben.
Die Geschichte wird sehr verworren erzählt, weder von vorne nach hinten, noch konsequent von hinten nach vorne (aber tendenziell schon eher letzteres). Es wird wild gesprungen zwischen Gegenwart und Vergangenheit und ja, der Trip wird rückwärts wiedergegeben. Für mich hat es für viel Verwirrung gesorgt und potentielle Spannung kaputt gemacht.
Dazu kamen Charaktere, die schwer auseinanderzuhalten waren. Insbesondere die 3 Mädchen, die schon lange Freundinnen sind, blendeten praktisch zusammen. Sie waren auch alle nicht gerade sympathisch, ich habe mit niemandem mitgefiebert.
Das Ende wurde extremmmm schnell abgehandelt und sehr wenigggg erläutert! Das war dann der Tropfen, der die Waage Richtung 1⭐️ gekippt hat.
Das ist natürlich nur meine subjektive Meinung, macht sehr gern Eure eigene Erfahrung!
1/5⭐️
Teen drama, mean girls und Geheimnisse: Das war mein erstes Buch der Autorin und darum geht es inhaltlich:
Giselle nimmt 3 ihrer Freundinnen mit auf einen mehrtägigen Yachttrip. Aber die Dinge sind nicht so wie sie scheinen.
Leider hat mir das Buch nicht so gut gefallen. Es hat vielversprechend angefangen und grundsätzlich mag ich Young Adult Thriller sehr gern. Hier kamen aber zu viele Faktoren zusammen, die das Lesen nicht so schön gemacht haben.
Die Geschichte wird sehr verworren erzählt, weder von vorne nach hinten, noch konsequent von hinten nach vorne (aber tendenziell schon eher letzteres). Es wird wild gesprungen zwischen Gegenwart und Vergangenheit und ja, der Trip wird rückwärts wiedergegeben. Für mich hat es für viel Verwirrung gesorgt und potentielle Spannung kaputt gemacht.
Dazu kamen Charaktere, die schwer auseinanderzuhalten waren. Insbesondere die 3 Mädchen, die schon lange Freundinnen sind, blendeten praktisch zusammen. Sie waren auch alle nicht gerade sympathisch, ich habe mit niemandem mitgefiebert.
Das Ende wurde extremmmm schnell abgehandelt und sehr wenigggg erläutert! Das war dann der Tropfen, der die Waage Richtung 1⭐️ gekippt hat.
Das ist natürlich nur meine subjektive Meinung, macht sehr gern Eure eigene Erfahrung!
1/5⭐️
June 6, 2024
This was a great beach read. It’s the story of a group of “friends” who go on a yacht and one of them ends up overboard while the other is suspected of murder.
I really enjoyed the pacing and timeline of the story. We found out about each character in an order that added to the suspense.
I would have loved to see a little more of the relationship between Giselle and Wyatt since it played such a role in the story.
Vivian’s and Emi’s stories also felt a little unfinished. I wanted to know how they ended up—however, leaving the story the way it was and having Maggie walk off with the plans to destroy everything was definitely a satisfying ending.
I really enjoyed the pacing and timeline of the story. We found out about each character in an order that added to the suspense.
I would have loved to see a little more of the relationship between Giselle and Wyatt since it played such a role in the story.
Vivian’s and Emi’s stories also felt a little unfinished. I wanted to know how they ended up—however, leaving the story the way it was and having Maggie walk off with the plans to destroy everything was definitely a satisfying ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2024
Dead Below Deck was a twisty mystery told in a unique way.
The book opens with a yacht and a missing girl. The main story is told in reverse chronological order. The end of each chapter also has letters that read chronologically, but begin long before the yacht leaves. There are also police interviews and news transcripts that begin after the girl goes missing and delve into the investigation.
It was fun gathering all of the pieces to try to solve the mystery, and this kept me turning pages. Is anything as it seems?
Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins for an early copy for review.
The book opens with a yacht and a missing girl. The main story is told in reverse chronological order. The end of each chapter also has letters that read chronologically, but begin long before the yacht leaves. There are also police interviews and news transcripts that begin after the girl goes missing and delve into the investigation.
It was fun gathering all of the pieces to try to solve the mystery, and this kept me turning pages. Is anything as it seems?
Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins for an early copy for review.
November 11, 2024
An incredible mystery that I devoured in two days. Told in reverse chronological order from the moment everyone realizes that Giselle is missing to the beginning of the spring break cruise, readers learn what is going on between Giselle and Maggie. The plot is enhanced through flashbacks from Giselle's diary as well as current police reports. This book ends with a shocking reveal that readers won't see coming.
May 31, 2025
Timeline worked backwards which I thought was interesting. Could be confusing at some points but overall, I needed to know what happened and always wanted to keep reading. There has to be a second one coming...
June 23, 2025
1.5. I was rlly bored at the start and had to fully re start the book because it didn’t make sense, after reading the reviews and realizing it was in reverse I liked it a little more. I did predict what happened though when i was only half paying attention so idk if that’s good or bad 😭
January 30, 2026
Escape… die Frage ist nur wovon 🌊
Vermutlich bin ich zu verwöhnt von Holly Jackson Style Krimis, aber ich muss leider sagen, dass die Autorin mit »Girls Trip« das Potenzial der Idee größtenteils verschenkt hat 🥲
Was mich vor allem gestört hat war die Tatsache, dass man von Anfang an das Gefühl hatte, die Auflösung eigentlich schon zu kennen und somit nicht wirklich wusste, auf was genau, beziehungsweise welche Art von Plot man eigentlich wartet ❤️🩹 Außerdem wurden die 5 Tage, die die vier „Freundinnen“ auf der Yacht verbringen chronologisch verkehrt herum erzählt, also z.B. Tag 3 abends, dann Tag 3 morgens und als Nächstes Tag 2 nachts… Das hat zumindest für mich den Lesefluss sehr beeinträchtigt und ich hab auch keinen wirklichen Sinn hinter diesem Aufbau gesehen 👀
Weiters waren selbst die Hauptcharaktere nicht so gut ausgearbeitet, als dass man wirklich wüsste, warum sie sich so verhalten, wie sie es tun. Einzig bei der Protagonistin Maggie wurde nach und nach die (etwas abstrakt wirkende) Vorgeschichte mit der Zeit aufgerollt, wodurch man zumindest einen Bezugspunkt zu ihr bekam 🫶🏼
Leider hab ich neben den bereits erwähnten Dingen einen weiteren Kritikpunkt, nämlich die vielen Zeitsprünge. Als wäre es nicht genug, die ganze Story verkehrt herum zu erzählen, dachte sich die Autorin wohl auch noch, sie müsse Schnipsel aus der Gegenwart in Form der Verhöre sowie Rückblicke in die Vergangenheit durch Giselles Tagebuch / Briefe einbauen 🫠
Vielleicht fragt ihr euch jetzt, warum ich dem Buch dennoch 3 (eigentlich eher 2,5) Sterne gegeben habe - das liegt schlichtweg daran, dass der Plot auf den letzten ~20 Seiten sehr überraschend kam. Ich hatte mit vielem gerechnet, aber nicht damit 🫢 Trotzdem muss ich leider auch hier sagen, dass das Ganze besser hätte ausgearbeitet werden können 🙈 Außerdem war es mal wieder ein BuddyRead mit meiner Grandma und deshalb trotzdem besonders für mich 🥰
Von mir gibt es diesmal keine Empfehlung, vor allen Dingen auch, weil ich mehrmals überlegt hatte, das Buch abzubrechen… hab ich nur nicht getan, weil ich ein unfassbar neugieriger Mensch bin und natürlich wissen musste, wie alles ausgeht - bin mir noch nicht ganz sicher, ob es sich gelohnt hat, oder doch eher Zeitverschwendung war 😬
Zumindest gut, dass ich für das Buch kein Geld bezahlt habe, sondern „nur“ meine Lesejury Punkte einlösen musste 🫂
Vermutlich bin ich zu verwöhnt von Holly Jackson Style Krimis, aber ich muss leider sagen, dass die Autorin mit »Girls Trip« das Potenzial der Idee größtenteils verschenkt hat 🥲
Was mich vor allem gestört hat war die Tatsache, dass man von Anfang an das Gefühl hatte, die Auflösung eigentlich schon zu kennen und somit nicht wirklich wusste, auf was genau, beziehungsweise welche Art von Plot man eigentlich wartet ❤️🩹 Außerdem wurden die 5 Tage, die die vier „Freundinnen“ auf der Yacht verbringen chronologisch verkehrt herum erzählt, also z.B. Tag 3 abends, dann Tag 3 morgens und als Nächstes Tag 2 nachts… Das hat zumindest für mich den Lesefluss sehr beeinträchtigt und ich hab auch keinen wirklichen Sinn hinter diesem Aufbau gesehen 👀
Weiters waren selbst die Hauptcharaktere nicht so gut ausgearbeitet, als dass man wirklich wüsste, warum sie sich so verhalten, wie sie es tun. Einzig bei der Protagonistin Maggie wurde nach und nach die (etwas abstrakt wirkende) Vorgeschichte mit der Zeit aufgerollt, wodurch man zumindest einen Bezugspunkt zu ihr bekam 🫶🏼
Leider hab ich neben den bereits erwähnten Dingen einen weiteren Kritikpunkt, nämlich die vielen Zeitsprünge. Als wäre es nicht genug, die ganze Story verkehrt herum zu erzählen, dachte sich die Autorin wohl auch noch, sie müsse Schnipsel aus der Gegenwart in Form der Verhöre sowie Rückblicke in die Vergangenheit durch Giselles Tagebuch / Briefe einbauen 🫠
Vielleicht fragt ihr euch jetzt, warum ich dem Buch dennoch 3 (eigentlich eher 2,5) Sterne gegeben habe - das liegt schlichtweg daran, dass der Plot auf den letzten ~20 Seiten sehr überraschend kam. Ich hatte mit vielem gerechnet, aber nicht damit 🫢 Trotzdem muss ich leider auch hier sagen, dass das Ganze besser hätte ausgearbeitet werden können 🙈 Außerdem war es mal wieder ein BuddyRead mit meiner Grandma und deshalb trotzdem besonders für mich 🥰
Von mir gibt es diesmal keine Empfehlung, vor allen Dingen auch, weil ich mehrmals überlegt hatte, das Buch abzubrechen… hab ich nur nicht getan, weil ich ein unfassbar neugieriger Mensch bin und natürlich wissen musste, wie alles ausgeht - bin mir noch nicht ganz sicher, ob es sich gelohnt hat, oder doch eher Zeitverschwendung war 😬
Zumindest gut, dass ich für das Buch kein Geld bezahlt habe, sondern „nur“ meine Lesejury Punkte einlösen musste 🫂
September 27, 2025
Die Charaktere fand ich sehr interessant und auch gut beschrieben. Wobei ich mir gewünscht hätte, mehr über Emi zu erfahren. Von ihr hat man aus der Gruppe am wenigsten erfahren.
Das Buch war super spannend. Es wird aus der Sicht von zwei verschiedenen Personen zu zwei unterschiedlichen Zeitpunkten erzählt, was es richtig interessant gemacht hat. Ich habe die ganze Zeit darauf gewartet, wie die Auflösung wohl aussieht!
Jetzt, wo ich sie kenne, kann ich sagen, dass ich das Buch gerne gelesen habe und die Auflösung auch nicht unbedingt schlecht fand, allerdings gab es für mich ein paar kleinere Unstimmigkeiten. Also kurz gesagt, das Ende war nicht schlecht, aber meiner Meinung nach auch nicht unbedingt perfekt.
January 3, 2025
What am I now? A reader of thrillers? This book, recommended by the teen librarian, is an excellent thriller about 4 high school senior girls aboard a yacht in the Caribbean. On the final night of the cruise, one girl, Maggie, wakes up to a raging hangover and the accusation that she threw the girl hosting the cruise overboard. There is even video evidence to prove it. In this all-is-not-what-it-seems whodunit, I was left guessing what was happening all along. I found the mental gymnastics fun and the story was highly engaging. This is a great mystery! My only-very minor-complaint is that this book wrapped up super quickly.
December 17, 2025
4.5 stars
What is with the GR rating on this one???! Obvs people find it 'challenging' when literary device such as reverse timeliness are in play, but c'mon!
I *really* enjoyed this thriller. The pace of the events and breadcrumbs, alongside the unreliable nature of practically all the characters (!), made for a mystery plot that had so many options I couldn't unravel the right one until the end. I'd missed a couple of hints so it was a delightful 'ahhhhhh' moment for me when it all came together really well at the end.
CW: death of a parent, bullying
Y10, Y11
What is with the GR rating on this one???! Obvs people find it 'challenging' when literary device such as reverse timeliness are in play, but c'mon!
I *really* enjoyed this thriller. The pace of the events and breadcrumbs, alongside the unreliable nature of practically all the characters (!), made for a mystery plot that had so many options I couldn't unravel the right one until the end. I'd missed a couple of hints so it was a delightful 'ahhhhhh' moment for me when it all came together really well at the end.
CW: death of a parent, bullying
Y10, Y11
November 23, 2024
Dead Below Deck was such a good thriller. I loved that it was written in two point of views and backwards. I also loved the added diary entries and police reports. They added so much to the story. Giselle, our heiress, is pushed from her super yacht and Maggie is accused of being the culprit. In fact there is a video. Hearing the story backwards gives you a chance to learn more about the characters and their motives. I did not see the twists coming. They were crazy. I loved it!
January 3, 2025
I am going to need someone to explain that ending to me!
I really liked that the story was told in reverse order so to speak. I just wish the ending had been a bit more flushed out. I liked the cruise ship setting but there was quite a bit of mean girl drama that wasn’t my favorite.
I really liked that the story was told in reverse order so to speak. I just wish the ending had been a bit more flushed out. I liked the cruise ship setting but there was quite a bit of mean girl drama that wasn’t my favorite.
Read
August 15, 2025das hat auf jeden fall spaß gemacht, aber richtet sich schon eher an jüngeres publikum. diese rückwärts laufende timeline fand ich ehrlich gesagt etwas verwirrend und anstrengend zu verfolgen. hätte mir besser gefallen wenn das anders gegliedert wäre.
Read
March 27, 2026DNF 43%
November 28, 2025
Okay-ish.
I liked the backwards timeline, never read something like that before. The plot was kinda predictable. The time jumps between the story and the diary were a bit confusing at some points.
I liked the backwards timeline, never read something like that before. The plot was kinda predictable. The time jumps between the story and the diary were a bit confusing at some points.
September 7, 2024
Book Summary:
Who can say no to a fun girls' trip? Especially when there's a yacht, luxury, and boatloads of money involved. Unfortunately, this friend group probably should have found alternative plans. Now Giselle is missing, presumed overboard, leaving everyone to scramble and pick up the pieces.
More importantly, it's leaving Maggie in the lurch. She had a plan for this trip, and becoming suspect number one for murder was not on the list of things to do. So, she must work backward and figure out what happened here.
My Review:
Okay, it’s official. I’m adding Jan Gangsei to my list of thriller authors to watch! Dead Below Deck was SO much fun to read. Yes, it had similar vibes to a few other thrillers, but I really enjoyed the different elements she wove into the mix (and I would argue that overall, I’m happier with this take over some of the others I’ve read).
First, I have always loved a good multiple-perspective thriller. Dead Below Deck has that in spades, with a journal adding perspective and intentional confusion. It was interesting getting to see Giselle’s written story in relation to the story Maggie was telling us.
Second, it’s safe to say that this is an unreliable narrator tale, as it doesn’t take long for Maggie and Giselle’s stories to conflict. The question is - which one is lying to us? That was a fun twist to try and suss out, and it kept me invested through to the end.
Highlights:
YA Thriller
Reverse Chronological Order
Multiple Perspectives
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
Who can say no to a fun girls' trip? Especially when there's a yacht, luxury, and boatloads of money involved. Unfortunately, this friend group probably should have found alternative plans. Now Giselle is missing, presumed overboard, leaving everyone to scramble and pick up the pieces.
More importantly, it's leaving Maggie in the lurch. She had a plan for this trip, and becoming suspect number one for murder was not on the list of things to do. So, she must work backward and figure out what happened here.
My Review:
Okay, it’s official. I’m adding Jan Gangsei to my list of thriller authors to watch! Dead Below Deck was SO much fun to read. Yes, it had similar vibes to a few other thrillers, but I really enjoyed the different elements she wove into the mix (and I would argue that overall, I’m happier with this take over some of the others I’ve read).
First, I have always loved a good multiple-perspective thriller. Dead Below Deck has that in spades, with a journal adding perspective and intentional confusion. It was interesting getting to see Giselle’s written story in relation to the story Maggie was telling us.
Second, it’s safe to say that this is an unreliable narrator tale, as it doesn’t take long for Maggie and Giselle’s stories to conflict. The question is - which one is lying to us? That was a fun twist to try and suss out, and it kept me invested through to the end.
Highlights:
YA Thriller
Reverse Chronological Order
Multiple Perspectives
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
December 25, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ I have never read a book like this that tells the story in a reverse order and honestly it really tested my memory oddly, especially reading over the span of a few weeks. Watching lots of Below Deck gave me an appreciation of the yacht in the story too
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