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I Did Warn Her
A luxurious yacht, a gorgeous crew with secrets and rivalries...and murder! I Did Warn Her is a cunning locked room mystery set on a billionaire’s yacht, by the author of last year’s sensation She Started It.
The Ophelia is your typical billionaire yacht: ridiculously luxurious, owned by a ruthless money man, and staffed by a crew whose only job is to indulge the guests’ every wish.
Model-gorgeous Sasha is a last-minute hire for a weeklong Atlantic crossing. She joins fellow stewardesses Jade, Imogen, Euphemia, and Lola. The Ophelia’s stewardesses are almost identical—blonde and model-gorgeous—and all were lured to the Ophelia by high wages and a chance to leave their problems behind when they set sail. But despite its sleek opulence, the Ophelia isn’t as heavenly as it seems. A stewardess on the previous charter died under mysterious circumstances, the guests’ expensive jewelry keeps disappearing, and the crew grows steadily more and more suspicious of one another.
Then the yacht’s owner brings aboard his best friend and two more women, also beautiful. Also hiding something.
When a crew member turns up dead after a night of partying, everyone on the yacht is a suspect. Who is the jewel thief? Who is the murderer? What will happen when the lights go out, and the crew and the guests are finally on equal footing?
Endlessly twisty and delightfully voyeuristic, I Did Warn Her is a whodunnit on the high seas, where the dark secrets of the ultra-wealthy have nowhere to hide.
The Ophelia is your typical billionaire yacht: ridiculously luxurious, owned by a ruthless money man, and staffed by a crew whose only job is to indulge the guests’ every wish.
Model-gorgeous Sasha is a last-minute hire for a weeklong Atlantic crossing. She joins fellow stewardesses Jade, Imogen, Euphemia, and Lola. The Ophelia’s stewardesses are almost identical—blonde and model-gorgeous—and all were lured to the Ophelia by high wages and a chance to leave their problems behind when they set sail. But despite its sleek opulence, the Ophelia isn’t as heavenly as it seems. A stewardess on the previous charter died under mysterious circumstances, the guests’ expensive jewelry keeps disappearing, and the crew grows steadily more and more suspicious of one another.
Then the yacht’s owner brings aboard his best friend and two more women, also beautiful. Also hiding something.
When a crew member turns up dead after a night of partying, everyone on the yacht is a suspect. Who is the jewel thief? Who is the murderer? What will happen when the lights go out, and the crew and the guests are finally on equal footing?
Endlessly twisty and delightfully voyeuristic, I Did Warn Her is a whodunnit on the high seas, where the dark secrets of the ultra-wealthy have nowhere to hide.
Unknown Binding
First published June 17, 2025
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About the author
Sian Gilbert
3 books825 followersSian Gilbert is a thriller author in the United Kingdom. She is represented by Helen Heller at the Helen Heller Agency.
Her debut thriller SHE STARTED IT (June 13th 2023) was a Book of the Month Main Selection, and an Amazon Editors' Pick for Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense. Her second thriller I DID WARN HER (June 18th 2025) received a starred review from Booklist.
Sian's third novel, THE FIVE OF US, is coming August 2026.
Follow Sian on Instagram, TikTok and X: @sianmgilbert
Find Sian on Facebook:
Sian Gilbert - Author
Her debut thriller SHE STARTED IT (June 13th 2023) was a Book of the Month Main Selection, and an Amazon Editors' Pick for Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense. Her second thriller I DID WARN HER (June 18th 2025) received a starred review from Booklist.
Sian's third novel, THE FIVE OF US, is coming August 2026.
Follow Sian on Instagram, TikTok and X: @sianmgilbert
Find Sian on Facebook:
Sian Gilbert - Author
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 477 reviews
February 14, 2025
After reading the author’s debut novel “She Started It”, which I absolutely loved, I couldn’t wait to read this newest release. While I did enjoy this book, I think I’ve just gotten to a point where I’m a little tired of locked room (yacht) mysteries. This story had many POV’s to keep track of (which was fairly easy once the story took off), but then I felt it started to drag on through the middle. Now, I will admit that I didn’t read this book as fast as I usually do because of other life activities going on, so I’m not sure if that affected how I felt each time I picked the book back up…
To briefly sum this story up, we have Sasha who gets a dream job on the billionaire yacht ‘Ophelia’. Sasha thinks this job as a stewardess on the yacht will be an escape from her past. Little does Sasha know that she has walked into another nightmare.
Upon arriving on the ‘Ophelia’, Sasha meets all her coworkers/stewardesses, and amazingly they look exactly like she does. Sasha no longer stands out as being blond and beautiful, because the other stewardesses are blond and beautiful as well. They are exact replicas of each other. Sasha also finds out that these other women that she works with are not very friendly, and they are very cutthroat. How will Sasha survive this journey in the middle of the Atlantic ocean when women and items go disappearing almost daily?
If you like locked room mysteries, with lots of finger pointing 🫵- then this is the book for you! Although I didn’t enjoy it as much as the author’s debut, it was still a fun read and I think many who are new to this genre will enjoy it even more than I did.
Many thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow, and the author for a DRC of this book in which I had the pleasure of reading. All opinions are my own.
Publication date: June 17, 2025
To briefly sum this story up, we have Sasha who gets a dream job on the billionaire yacht ‘Ophelia’. Sasha thinks this job as a stewardess on the yacht will be an escape from her past. Little does Sasha know that she has walked into another nightmare.
Upon arriving on the ‘Ophelia’, Sasha meets all her coworkers/stewardesses, and amazingly they look exactly like she does. Sasha no longer stands out as being blond and beautiful, because the other stewardesses are blond and beautiful as well. They are exact replicas of each other. Sasha also finds out that these other women that she works with are not very friendly, and they are very cutthroat. How will Sasha survive this journey in the middle of the Atlantic ocean when women and items go disappearing almost daily?
If you like locked room mysteries, with lots of finger pointing 🫵- then this is the book for you! Although I didn’t enjoy it as much as the author’s debut, it was still a fun read and I think many who are new to this genre will enjoy it even more than I did.
Many thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow, and the author for a DRC of this book in which I had the pleasure of reading. All opinions are my own.
Publication date: June 17, 2025
January 21, 2026
I Did Warn Her is an Adult Thriller novel set at sea aboard the super-yacht, Opehlia. We follow a cast of characters working as crew members, or paid guests, of the Ophelia during a charter voyage across the Atlantic.
The week-long journey should be a piece of cake, but it turns out to be anything but with bodies dropping and valuable belongings going missing. Suspicions and paranoia flares. Before you know it, no one trusts anyone else. It's a mess.
The concept of this is very Below Deck meets Locked Room Murder Mystery and I was on board for that. Unfortunately, even though the concept was strong, the execution was lacking, in my humble opinion.
Initially, I was intrigued. The group of stewardesses who work on the Ophelia are all described as carbon copies of each other. Why would the owner want such a specific type?
I thought that was a little weird, and if I had been aboard it probably would have icked me out. Unfortunately, I felt like not only were they described as carbon copies of one another, but they also felt it. I had a very hard time distinguishing between them.
We are told the story via quite a few different perspectives. Honestly, I read the whole thing and I cannot with confidence tell you how many perspectives there were, which in my mind, is sort of a problem.
I enjoyed the setting and dramatic feel, but the indecipherable perspectives sort of ruined it for me. I wish it would have been told from the perspective of one stewardess and one escort. I think it still could have been exciting and intriguing with that aspect reined in a bit.
With these issues in mind, it ended up being a big ole' miss for me. It's one of those cases of 'great concept, poor execution'. Saying poor execution seems harsh, and it is a bit, I just felt like it was too messy, with too many similar characters to properly keep track of.
I enjoyed Sian Gilbert's previous novel, She Started It, and was expecting more of the same here. At the end of the day though, I just walk away disappointed.
Thank you to the publisher, William Morrow, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
Even though this one didn't work for me personally, I would definitely be willing to check out more from this author.
The week-long journey should be a piece of cake, but it turns out to be anything but with bodies dropping and valuable belongings going missing. Suspicions and paranoia flares. Before you know it, no one trusts anyone else. It's a mess.
The concept of this is very Below Deck meets Locked Room Murder Mystery and I was on board for that. Unfortunately, even though the concept was strong, the execution was lacking, in my humble opinion.
Initially, I was intrigued. The group of stewardesses who work on the Ophelia are all described as carbon copies of each other. Why would the owner want such a specific type?
I thought that was a little weird, and if I had been aboard it probably would have icked me out. Unfortunately, I felt like not only were they described as carbon copies of one another, but they also felt it. I had a very hard time distinguishing between them.
We are told the story via quite a few different perspectives. Honestly, I read the whole thing and I cannot with confidence tell you how many perspectives there were, which in my mind, is sort of a problem.
I enjoyed the setting and dramatic feel, but the indecipherable perspectives sort of ruined it for me. I wish it would have been told from the perspective of one stewardess and one escort. I think it still could have been exciting and intriguing with that aspect reined in a bit.
With these issues in mind, it ended up being a big ole' miss for me. It's one of those cases of 'great concept, poor execution'. Saying poor execution seems harsh, and it is a bit, I just felt like it was too messy, with too many similar characters to properly keep track of.
I enjoyed Sian Gilbert's previous novel, She Started It, and was expecting more of the same here. At the end of the day though, I just walk away disappointed.
Thank you to the publisher, William Morrow, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
Even though this one didn't work for me personally, I would definitely be willing to check out more from this author.
February 5, 2025
A luxurious yacht sets sail to New York, hosting two business moguls—including the yacht's owner—and their glamorous companions. The crew comprises stunning, model-like blondes, indistinguishable from one another, as if they were Margot Robbie’s doubles from Barbie. Head stewardess Jade is determined to ensure everything runs smoothly—no mishaps like last year when an "accident" cost them a stewardess. Keep your cool, smile, and move on, right?
Young Sasha, fresh from quitting her nursing job under suspicious circumstances, joins the crew for a weeklong Atlantic crossing. She's hired not for her experience but her striking looks and blonde hair, perfectly matching her fellow stewardesses. Jade is a perfectionist, driven and callous. Imogen, the sharp-tongued, vengeful stewardess, targets Sasha, accusing her of stealing Alex—the handsome bosun who might be sleeping with everyone behind Imogen’s back. Effie, the narcissistic, ex-model, feigns friendliness while plotting others’ downfalls. Then there’s Lola, the youngest crew member, a spoiled rich girl disowned by her family. Though labeled naïve, she knows more about the yacht’s secrets than anyone suspects.
The yacht owner brings his best friend and two special guests, Eva and Jasmine. Jasmine, however, seems eerily familiar and pries into the events of last year. But soon, bigger problems arise: one of the stewardesses is murdered, and it’s just the beginning. Who’s targeting the crew? What schemes is the captain hiding? And who is erasing evidence to disguise murder as accidents? On this yacht, everyone has secrets, and no one is trustworthy. To survive, the stewardesses must unmask the killer—before they turn on each other.
OVERALL:
I had a great time with this book, especially laughing at Effie and Imogen’s POVs. Both were delightfully detestable, and I couldn’t decide which was worse. Normally, reading so many POVs featuring unlikable characters would make a story less enjoyable for me, but the author’s sarcastic tone and tightly woven mysteries kept me entertained. The nonstop action hooked me from the start, and the whirlwind of revelations made this an addictive read. I even shouted, Ship Ahoy! as I dove into this wild ride!
That said, the book’s length felt excessive, with numerous perspectives—including the five stewardesses and Jasmine, the enigmatic guest. I even wondered why Runa, the cook, didn’t get her own POV! The final chapters were packed with action and flash-forward scenes leading to a twisty epilogue, but I felt the biggest question readers had wasn’t fully addressed. Still, if you’re okay with a long read and juggling a large cast of flawed, chaotic characters, this book makes for a perfect popcorn mystery—thrilling, funny, and entertaining, much like the author’s previous work.
I’m rounding up my 3.5 stars to 4 and highly recommend it for fans of wild, action-packed journeys and delightfully messy characters!
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Young Sasha, fresh from quitting her nursing job under suspicious circumstances, joins the crew for a weeklong Atlantic crossing. She's hired not for her experience but her striking looks and blonde hair, perfectly matching her fellow stewardesses. Jade is a perfectionist, driven and callous. Imogen, the sharp-tongued, vengeful stewardess, targets Sasha, accusing her of stealing Alex—the handsome bosun who might be sleeping with everyone behind Imogen’s back. Effie, the narcissistic, ex-model, feigns friendliness while plotting others’ downfalls. Then there’s Lola, the youngest crew member, a spoiled rich girl disowned by her family. Though labeled naïve, she knows more about the yacht’s secrets than anyone suspects.
The yacht owner brings his best friend and two special guests, Eva and Jasmine. Jasmine, however, seems eerily familiar and pries into the events of last year. But soon, bigger problems arise: one of the stewardesses is murdered, and it’s just the beginning. Who’s targeting the crew? What schemes is the captain hiding? And who is erasing evidence to disguise murder as accidents? On this yacht, everyone has secrets, and no one is trustworthy. To survive, the stewardesses must unmask the killer—before they turn on each other.
OVERALL:
I had a great time with this book, especially laughing at Effie and Imogen’s POVs. Both were delightfully detestable, and I couldn’t decide which was worse. Normally, reading so many POVs featuring unlikable characters would make a story less enjoyable for me, but the author’s sarcastic tone and tightly woven mysteries kept me entertained. The nonstop action hooked me from the start, and the whirlwind of revelations made this an addictive read. I even shouted, Ship Ahoy! as I dove into this wild ride!
That said, the book’s length felt excessive, with numerous perspectives—including the five stewardesses and Jasmine, the enigmatic guest. I even wondered why Runa, the cook, didn’t get her own POV! The final chapters were packed with action and flash-forward scenes leading to a twisty epilogue, but I felt the biggest question readers had wasn’t fully addressed. Still, if you’re okay with a long read and juggling a large cast of flawed, chaotic characters, this book makes for a perfect popcorn mystery—thrilling, funny, and entertaining, much like the author’s previous work.
I’m rounding up my 3.5 stars to 4 and highly recommend it for fans of wild, action-packed journeys and delightfully messy characters!
medium.com
February 21, 2024
I was lucky enough to read an early draft of this book and MY OH MY are fans of SHE STARTED IT in for a treat!!
September 4, 2025
"Endlessly twisty and delightfully voyeuristic, I Did Warn Her is a whodunnit on the high seas, where the dark secrets of the ultra-wealthy have nowhere to hide."
Stunningly perfect Sasha is blonde, beautiful, and a last-minute hire on the Ophelia, a billionaire super yacht. Joining the crew of stewardesses: Jade, Euphemia, Imogen, and Lola, she is shocked by how unwelcoming the crew is. When four guests join the crew of stewardesses, deckhands, chef, engineer, and captain, chaos erupts and murder and mayhem ensues. It's a voyage where both the rich and the staff are behaving badly.
I found this locked room mystery highly entertaining and propulsive. The multiple POVs alternate chapters, keep the story moving rapidly, and hold your interest. Every character is a suspect because everyone is keeping secrets and has a motive. This is reminiscent of Death on the Nile with a modern edge. Highly recommend this story of survival on the high seas.
Many thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow, Book Club Girl, and Sian Gilbert for an advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.
Stunningly perfect Sasha is blonde, beautiful, and a last-minute hire on the Ophelia, a billionaire super yacht. Joining the crew of stewardesses: Jade, Euphemia, Imogen, and Lola, she is shocked by how unwelcoming the crew is. When four guests join the crew of stewardesses, deckhands, chef, engineer, and captain, chaos erupts and murder and mayhem ensues. It's a voyage where both the rich and the staff are behaving badly.
I found this locked room mystery highly entertaining and propulsive. The multiple POVs alternate chapters, keep the story moving rapidly, and hold your interest. Every character is a suspect because everyone is keeping secrets and has a motive. This is reminiscent of Death on the Nile with a modern edge. Highly recommend this story of survival on the high seas.
Many thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow, Book Club Girl, and Sian Gilbert for an advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.
June 21, 2025
A locked room mystery on the high seas is always so fun to read. Even better when all the characters are so nasty and out for themselves. I Did Warn Her ticked all those boxes and more.
There are rich people behaving really badly, the crew who are all hiding terrible secrets and then there is a murder. Anybody could be the killer so so many reasons. Oh, and of course there is bad weather and,issuing life saving equipment!
I enjoyed this wild ride so much. While one of the characters were easy to like, it was fun to see them all be unmasked for what they really were and have to deal with the chaos onboard The Ophelia.
Thanks so much to William Morrow for my copy of this book to read.
There are rich people behaving really badly, the crew who are all hiding terrible secrets and then there is a murder. Anybody could be the killer so so many reasons. Oh, and of course there is bad weather and,issuing life saving equipment!
I enjoyed this wild ride so much. While one of the characters were easy to like, it was fun to see them all be unmasked for what they really were and have to deal with the chaos onboard The Ophelia.
Thanks so much to William Morrow for my copy of this book to read.
February 5, 2025
I received a free copy of, I Did Warn Her, by Sian Gilbert, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Ophelia is a yacht, that had seen some trouble, death, people belongings going missing, when someone else is found dead, everyone is looked at as the perp. This was such a good read.
June 12, 2025
This was fun! Sometimes when all the characters are unlikable it makes the book unlikeable but I actually found it worked quite well for this one! All the drama, plotting and set ups where entertaining and I couldn’t wait for all hell to break loose so people would get a taste of their own medicine 😂
Set on board a luxury yacht makes for a locked room thriller, this trope can be overplayed but again I found it worked well for this book.
The cover is very cool it’s giving white lotus vibes!
I listened to the audio version of this book and enjoyed the narration with the different accents distinguishing the characters apart from each other, though some of the “male” voices where a little cringe 😂😂
For me the ending just didn’t have the shock factor I hoped for but altogether it was still an entertaining and captivating read!
Thank you for the gifted copy!
Publishes: June 17th
Set on board a luxury yacht makes for a locked room thriller, this trope can be overplayed but again I found it worked well for this book.
The cover is very cool it’s giving white lotus vibes!
I listened to the audio version of this book and enjoyed the narration with the different accents distinguishing the characters apart from each other, though some of the “male” voices where a little cringe 😂😂
For me the ending just didn’t have the shock factor I hoped for but altogether it was still an entertaining and captivating read!
Thank you for the gifted copy!
Publishes: June 17th
June 3, 2025
After reading this one I want to go back and watch episodes of Below Deck because this book reminded me of that show so much! While Below deck doesn’t have murders, it does have gossip, mean girls (sometimes), and DRAMA just like this novel. I thought it was a lot of fun. However, this book does have some faults that took away from my overall enjoyment which I’ll explain below.
Towards the end there are SO MANY TWISTS. Sometimes you can take things too far and that takes away the overall fun. I was rolling my eyes over and over again instead of gasping in shock. It got absurd after a while. Next, there are a LOT of POV’s which were confusing mostly because I don’t think most of them enhanced the storyline. If you’re going to have 4+ POV’s then they need to be important enough characters to differentiate them. Finally, I can’t remember the author ever explaining why all the stewardesses were exactly the same. I can guess but it wasn’t explicitly clear, and it played a major role in the story because all they did was talk about it and compare themselves to one another.
Regardless of those few things I did have fun reading this one. If you’re in the mood for a locked room type summer mystery that takes place on a yacht and mimics Below Deck, then you’ll probably enjoy this one.
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.5 rounded up)
Towards the end there are SO MANY TWISTS. Sometimes you can take things too far and that takes away the overall fun. I was rolling my eyes over and over again instead of gasping in shock. It got absurd after a while. Next, there are a LOT of POV’s which were confusing mostly because I don’t think most of them enhanced the storyline. If you’re going to have 4+ POV’s then they need to be important enough characters to differentiate them. Finally, I can’t remember the author ever explaining why all the stewardesses were exactly the same. I can guess but it wasn’t explicitly clear, and it played a major role in the story because all they did was talk about it and compare themselves to one another.
Regardless of those few things I did have fun reading this one. If you’re in the mood for a locked room type summer mystery that takes place on a yacht and mimics Below Deck, then you’ll probably enjoy this one.
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.5 rounded up)
May 29, 2025
I’m usually a big fan of locked in mysteries and love books that take place on big ships but sadly this one was a miss. The dialogue felt very YA childish and at a certain point I just didn’t care what happened to any of them.
I did love the multiple POVs though because if I was forced to spend too long in any of them, I would’ve lost my mind. All just very miserable, catty people but hey, some people love books like that.
I know so many people that’ll eat this book up and love it but I’m just not one of them unfortunately.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!
I did love the multiple POVs though because if I was forced to spend too long in any of them, I would’ve lost my mind. All just very miserable, catty people but hey, some people love books like that.
I know so many people that’ll eat this book up and love it but I’m just not one of them unfortunately.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!
October 25, 2025
A luxury yacht, a missing stewardess, and a crew full of secrets — this one intrigued me right away. It felt a little bit like And Then There Were None mixed with Clue, but on the high seas, which I really enjoyed.
I liked the different perspectives, even though it took me a bit to sort out who was who at first. Not all of the characters were likable (some were downright irritating), but that actually made things more interesting.
Between the numerous twists, the bickering and the drama, there was never a dull moment, and I genuinely had no idea who was behind everything until the reveal at the end. For me, that’s the mark of a great thriller — when a book keeps me on my heels and second-guessing the whole way through, especially with how many thrillers I read. Overall, this was a fun and twisty ride — I Did Warn Her kept me guessing till the end! Perfect if you’re in the mood for a thriller that feels fresh and keeps you hooked.
I liked the different perspectives, even though it took me a bit to sort out who was who at first. Not all of the characters were likable (some were downright irritating), but that actually made things more interesting.
Between the numerous twists, the bickering and the drama, there was never a dull moment, and I genuinely had no idea who was behind everything until the reveal at the end. For me, that’s the mark of a great thriller — when a book keeps me on my heels and second-guessing the whole way through, especially with how many thrillers I read. Overall, this was a fun and twisty ride — I Did Warn Her kept me guessing till the end! Perfect if you’re in the mood for a thriller that feels fresh and keeps you hooked.
April 3, 2025
Another great read from Sian Gilbert.
Such a twisty story, that kept me turning those pages, wanting to know what would happen next.
With great characters some I loved some I disliked, but they all brought something special to the story.
Full Review to follow
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
Reviews also published on:
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Such a twisty story, that kept me turning those pages, wanting to know what would happen next.
With great characters some I loved some I disliked, but they all brought something special to the story.
Full Review to follow
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
Reviews also published on:
Instagram || Threads || BSky || Fable || Uncover || Coffee and Kindle Blog || The StoryGraph || Amazon || Bookmarks
Happy to make friends on all socials
October 23, 2025
Below Deck, but make it stabby. This started out really fun, but to enjoy it, you’re going to need to suspend all disbelief, ignore plot holes, and absurd/unrealistic actions from all of the characters. Unfortunately, the further we travel on this super yacht the more bogged down the story gets and the action starts to suffer just when it should be ramping up. The ending sinks the whole book, it’s pokey, overly long and wholly unbelievable.
August 5, 2025
Super yacht, locked room scenario, missing items and people situation!?! I'm all in! The story was thrilling and engaging enough, although at times it got bogged down with so many different characters to keep up with. The audiobook was ok to keep up with. I would rate this a 3.5 stars but round up in this case.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC for exchange for my honest opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC for exchange for my honest opinion.
May 26, 2025
As a huge fan of the show “Below Deck”, I knew I had to read this book! For someone who has never been on a yacht, I know way too much about the industry just from watching that show and its spin-offs. I know about bosuns, sky lounges, swim platforms, how crazy the chefs are and how seriously (most) chief stews take their jobs. I also know people start to get on each other’s nerves being together 24/7 in tight quarters, working for people who would never deign to talk to them otherwise. This book was like a season of the show, but with a lot more drama…and a lot more blood.
It’s time for The Ophelia super-yacht to cross the Atlantic, so this won’t be a typical charter for the crew. Aside from Captain Howard and Chief Officer Melinda, we have the deckhands, Drew and Noah, along with the bosun, Axel. Then we have the stewardesses: Jade, Imogen, Euphemia, Lola, and a last-minute addition, Sasha. She is a nurse who wants to try her hand at yachting, and after a stewardess was fired for being pregnant, Sasha took her spot. Then of course we have the primary, Benjamin, his guest Digby, and the two escorts they brought on board to keep them “company” through the trip.
The creepy thing is that all of the stewardesses look the same. Like, exactly the same - blonde hair, high cheekbones, tan skin and petite bodies. The creepier thing is that a stew died on the last charter, and now it’s happened again. Well, it’s happening - there isn’t just one person dead at the end, and that’s as close to a spoiler as I’ll get. Add that in with some stolen jewelry, a knife missing from the galley, and safety equipment disappearing, and this Atlantic crossing can’t come to an end soon enough. As the book goes along, the suspense increases, making this a page-turning read that you won’t want to put down!
Of course the references and resemblances to “Below Deck” were what pulled me in, but even if you’ve never seen the show, this book is a fantastic locked-room mystery with a ton of suspense and entertaining characters. I read this author’s debut and gave it four stars, but I’m giving their sophomore novel five. If you like mystery, thrills and suspense, this is your book!
(Thank you to William Morrow, Sian Gilbert and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on June 17, 2025.)
It’s time for The Ophelia super-yacht to cross the Atlantic, so this won’t be a typical charter for the crew. Aside from Captain Howard and Chief Officer Melinda, we have the deckhands, Drew and Noah, along with the bosun, Axel. Then we have the stewardesses: Jade, Imogen, Euphemia, Lola, and a last-minute addition, Sasha. She is a nurse who wants to try her hand at yachting, and after a stewardess was fired for being pregnant, Sasha took her spot. Then of course we have the primary, Benjamin, his guest Digby, and the two escorts they brought on board to keep them “company” through the trip.
The creepy thing is that all of the stewardesses look the same. Like, exactly the same - blonde hair, high cheekbones, tan skin and petite bodies. The creepier thing is that a stew died on the last charter, and now it’s happened again. Well, it’s happening - there isn’t just one person dead at the end, and that’s as close to a spoiler as I’ll get. Add that in with some stolen jewelry, a knife missing from the galley, and safety equipment disappearing, and this Atlantic crossing can’t come to an end soon enough. As the book goes along, the suspense increases, making this a page-turning read that you won’t want to put down!
Of course the references and resemblances to “Below Deck” were what pulled me in, but even if you’ve never seen the show, this book is a fantastic locked-room mystery with a ton of suspense and entertaining characters. I read this author’s debut and gave it four stars, but I’m giving their sophomore novel five. If you like mystery, thrills and suspense, this is your book!
(Thank you to William Morrow, Sian Gilbert and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on June 17, 2025.)
September 28, 2025
I adored Sian Gilbert’s debut She Started It (5⭐ read for me), so my expectations were high going into this one.
This story is told through multiple POVs: four stewardesses, their head stewardess, and Jasmine (an escort who, naturally, isn’t what she seems). At times it was a lot to juggle, and I found myself flipping back to keep track, but once the story found its rhythm, the perspectives clicked into place.
What follows is a claustrophobic, glossy thriller full of mean-girl energy, voyeuristic secrets, and characters who are mostly unlikeable—which oddly fits the locked-room, Below Deck vibe. The reveals stack up toward the end, and while I didn’t guess any of the twists (always a plus), the overall effect was more “mid-tier thriller” than memorable.
It's a 3/5 🌟 read for me.
Not a bad read by any means, just not one that stuck with me. If you’re new to thrillers or love your mysteries with catfights, gossip, and scandal at sea, this could be your kind of ride. For me, it was entertaining in the moment but ultimately forgettable.
Thank you Netgalley, author & William Morrow Paperback for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
This story is told through multiple POVs: four stewardesses, their head stewardess, and Jasmine (an escort who, naturally, isn’t what she seems). At times it was a lot to juggle, and I found myself flipping back to keep track, but once the story found its rhythm, the perspectives clicked into place.
What follows is a claustrophobic, glossy thriller full of mean-girl energy, voyeuristic secrets, and characters who are mostly unlikeable—which oddly fits the locked-room, Below Deck vibe. The reveals stack up toward the end, and while I didn’t guess any of the twists (always a plus), the overall effect was more “mid-tier thriller” than memorable.
It's a 3/5 🌟 read for me.
Not a bad read by any means, just not one that stuck with me. If you’re new to thrillers or love your mysteries with catfights, gossip, and scandal at sea, this could be your kind of ride. For me, it was entertaining in the moment but ultimately forgettable.
Thank you Netgalley, author & William Morrow Paperback for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
June 22, 2025
Murder on the high seas!! I DID WARN HER is a slick, sharp-edged thriller that grabs you by the throat and drags you through the fog of secrets, betrayal, and murder on a luxurious trans-oceanic yacht ride turned nightmare. From the jump, this story gives off serious nautical vibes—with a darker, more sinister twist.
The pacing is solid, and the structure—shifting between timelines and perspectives—keeps you constantly guessing. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, the plot veers into dangerous new territory that leaves you questioning everyone’s motives.
The author does an awesome job of introducing a wide cast of characters without ever letting it feel overwhelming. Each one is distinct, memorable, and woven seamlessly into the storyline. You never lose track of who’s who, and as the layers peel back, it’s even more satisfying to see how their secrets connect. The fact that there are multiple murders only amps up the tension, making this a truly tangled web of lies and consequences. The author also did a great job with the nautical terminology—being a woman in the Navy, it felt realistic and well-researched.
Perfect for fans of psychological thrillers, morally grey characters, and stories where nothing—and no one—is what they seem.
The pacing is solid, and the structure—shifting between timelines and perspectives—keeps you constantly guessing. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, the plot veers into dangerous new territory that leaves you questioning everyone’s motives.
The author does an awesome job of introducing a wide cast of characters without ever letting it feel overwhelming. Each one is distinct, memorable, and woven seamlessly into the storyline. You never lose track of who’s who, and as the layers peel back, it’s even more satisfying to see how their secrets connect. The fact that there are multiple murders only amps up the tension, making this a truly tangled web of lies and consequences. The author also did a great job with the nautical terminology—being a woman in the Navy, it felt realistic and well-researched.
Perfect for fans of psychological thrillers, morally grey characters, and stories where nothing—and no one—is what they seem.
January 23, 2025
I now know more than I ever did about yacht culture and the super rich. This is one warped 1%.
This is a suspenseful book and I was dying to know what was behind everything.
If I had one complaint it was that our stewardesses are interchangeable. The thing is...they're suppose to be. It's part of the plot. But all the different POV characters kind of ran together for me. They're all one woman in voice.
Despite that, I enjoyed the read. I mean I couldn't tell you if girl one was dead or girl three or girl four, but I knew that I kind of liked them (even though they were a little mean girl) and I wanted to know the way of everything.
Good beach read.
This is a suspenseful book and I was dying to know what was behind everything.
If I had one complaint it was that our stewardesses are interchangeable. The thing is...they're suppose to be. It's part of the plot. But all the different POV characters kind of ran together for me. They're all one woman in voice.
Despite that, I enjoyed the read. I mean I couldn't tell you if girl one was dead or girl three or girl four, but I knew that I kind of liked them (even though they were a little mean girl) and I wanted to know the way of everything.
Good beach read.
June 17, 2025
Happy pub day! This read was incredibly juicy and I loved following the dark super yacht drama. A large cast of characters but easy to follow along and each with their own unique secrets. Right away you know something is off when you learn that all the stewardesses are basically clones of each other in appearance. How suspicious. That sets the tone for a fcked up voyage into the abyss.
June 4, 2025
"I Did Warn Her" is a thrilling mystery set on the luxurious billionaire yacht, the Ophelia. The story follows Sasha, a stunning last-minute hire among a team of equally beautiful stewardesses, all drawn to the yacht by high salaries and the promise of escape. However, beneath its opulent surface, the Ophelia is shrouded in dark events: a previous stewardess died mysteriously, expensive jewelry is disappearing, and tensions rise among the crew. When the yacht's owner brings aboard his friends, including two more beautiful women with hidden agendas, chaos ensues. Following a night of partying, a crew member ends up dead, turning everyone into suspects.
What a wonderfully tangled, slow-burning mystery thriller filled with lies and deceit! While the pace may be leisurely, it’s undeniably gripping and suspenseful—I found myself compelled to uncover the truth!
The book is divided into five parts, introducing us to a cast of intriguing characters: Sasha, Jade, Lola, Effie, Imogen, and Jasmine (who also goes by Tessa). I often struggle to keep track of multiple points of view, but the author masterfully brings each character to life with distinct personalities. With every chapter, we peel back the layers of each character, showcasing impressive development that keeps the pacing just right.
This read is a delightful mix of claustrophobia, suspense, and unpredictability. For a slow burn, it was surprisingly hard to put down, and I genuinely enjoyed every moment! The setting was vividly described, and the emotional intensity was palpable—I felt as if I were right there on the yacht, witnessing the drama unfold.
I was fortunate enough to receive both the audiobook and eBook, which truly enhances the experience. The narrators are fantastic, expertly capturing the pacing and emotional nuances of the story. Their voice changes made it easy to follow each character, and I absolutely loved the accents they brought to life. A stellar choice for the audio format!
This book would make the perfect beach read or listen. It’s suspenseful enough to keep you on your toes, and while you’ll need to pay attention to the various characters, the unpredictable ending is well worth the effort. I enjoyed the author’s first book, but I must say, this one takes the cake! If you enjoy unraveling secrets, captivating whodunits, and exploring the concealed lives of the ultra-wealthy, this read will grab you.
Thank you, Harper Audio and William Morrow, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What a wonderfully tangled, slow-burning mystery thriller filled with lies and deceit! While the pace may be leisurely, it’s undeniably gripping and suspenseful—I found myself compelled to uncover the truth!
The book is divided into five parts, introducing us to a cast of intriguing characters: Sasha, Jade, Lola, Effie, Imogen, and Jasmine (who also goes by Tessa). I often struggle to keep track of multiple points of view, but the author masterfully brings each character to life with distinct personalities. With every chapter, we peel back the layers of each character, showcasing impressive development that keeps the pacing just right.
This read is a delightful mix of claustrophobia, suspense, and unpredictability. For a slow burn, it was surprisingly hard to put down, and I genuinely enjoyed every moment! The setting was vividly described, and the emotional intensity was palpable—I felt as if I were right there on the yacht, witnessing the drama unfold.
I was fortunate enough to receive both the audiobook and eBook, which truly enhances the experience. The narrators are fantastic, expertly capturing the pacing and emotional nuances of the story. Their voice changes made it easy to follow each character, and I absolutely loved the accents they brought to life. A stellar choice for the audio format!
This book would make the perfect beach read or listen. It’s suspenseful enough to keep you on your toes, and while you’ll need to pay attention to the various characters, the unpredictable ending is well worth the effort. I enjoyed the author’s first book, but I must say, this one takes the cake! If you enjoy unraveling secrets, captivating whodunits, and exploring the concealed lives of the ultra-wealthy, this read will grab you.
Thank you, Harper Audio and William Morrow, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 17, 2025
Agatha Christie meet below deck! Loved the gossip and drama. Loved the insidious dark side of the rich and the people they affect. You never know who you’re messing with in the venture of furthering your own selfish gains. I did get a little lost in the characters double identities but overall it was a pretty good read. The narrator did a great job. Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to review!
February 15, 2025
4.5 big stars! If this is what the show Below Deck is like, then I need to start watching! A deliciously fun whodunit on a superyacht with lies and deceit. What a fun book!
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!
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September 22, 2025
It was okay.
I probably would have enjoyed it a lot more if it hadn't keep dragging on the ending, like the author couldn't decide just how it was going to end, and then had the final several twists. The multiple POVs were fun at first, and then sounded remarkably similar and repetitive.
The idea was cool, and reminded me a bit of The Lion's Den meets Reckless Girls, but the execution didn't really work as well for me.
I probably would have enjoyed it a lot more if it hadn't keep dragging on the ending, like the author couldn't decide just how it was going to end, and then had the final several twists. The multiple POVs were fun at first, and then sounded remarkably similar and repetitive.
The idea was cool, and reminded me a bit of The Lion's Den meets Reckless Girls, but the execution didn't really work as well for me.
March 15, 2025
It always feels weird when my first instinct is to call a thriller, fun but that’s exactly what this was! So many secrets, so many miles from land, and so much murder. Short chapters with alternating POV makes this a quick read. Salacious and wildly entertaining, this will make the perfect summer thriller, just hope you aren’t on a boat when you read it. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
July 17, 2025
I really struggled with this book and wanted to DNF it many times in the beginning. The women are clones of each other physically, but they also weren't given enough distinction as people to keep them straight. The little I did get, I hated.
Loved the ending, that definitely saved the book for me and made me glad I finished.
thank you to NetGalley, the author Sian Gilbert, and HarperAudio for my ARC of this audiobook.
Loved the ending, that definitely saved the book for me and made me glad I finished.
thank you to NetGalley, the author Sian Gilbert, and HarperAudio for my ARC of this audiobook.
April 11, 2025
I read She Started It back when it came out and thought it was a fun surprise! Isolated areas are one of my favorite type of tropes in books so having this one set on a luxury yacht was perfect! I will say that none of the characters are particularly likeable until later in the book. In fact most of them I will say I actively disliked, but I believe that was the idea. The author's writing style is very easy to read and has great pacing, and I really love that about her books. The ending caught me a little off guard as well which was a pleasant surprise. Looking forward to her next!
April 18, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of “I Did Warn Her”!
I devoured Sian Gilbert’s debut novel “She Started It” and this book was just as captivating! I love the multiple perspectives and the Who-Done-It feel!
Sasha is newbie to super-yachts and joins the crew of Ophelia to escape the drama going on in her own life. Little does she know she’s walking into even more chaos! The stewardesses are all look-alikes, a fact that is embedded in so many of the secrets on board! The billionaires, the guests, the captain, the chief, the chef, the bosun and deckhands are all hiding things and all ready to turn on each other to save themselves!
The constant dramatic inner monologues and finger pointing of who did what kept me intrigued throughout the story! Just when I thought there would be details that didn’t get addressed, BAM! Sian Gilbert strikes again and gave a shocking ending that tied everything up!
I devoured Sian Gilbert’s debut novel “She Started It” and this book was just as captivating! I love the multiple perspectives and the Who-Done-It feel!
Sasha is newbie to super-yachts and joins the crew of Ophelia to escape the drama going on in her own life. Little does she know she’s walking into even more chaos! The stewardesses are all look-alikes, a fact that is embedded in so many of the secrets on board! The billionaires, the guests, the captain, the chief, the chef, the bosun and deckhands are all hiding things and all ready to turn on each other to save themselves!
The constant dramatic inner monologues and finger pointing of who did what kept me intrigued throughout the story! Just when I thought there would be details that didn’t get addressed, BAM! Sian Gilbert strikes again and gave a shocking ending that tied everything up!
January 20, 2026
I absolutely LOVED this Below Deck/Murder on the Orient Express-type mash up. 4.5/5 rounded up to 5 because it definitely deserves more hype.
I felt like I watched an entire season of Below Deck and more while reading this - and as someone who has watched every BD season in existence, I ate it right up. I'd love a sequel with one of the surviving characters... you know what I mean if you read those last few pages!
Sian Gilbert did an amazing job of driving the plot with endless twists and turns, with SO many narrative perspectives! I loved it, but I also felt like I would have been a little bit lost without the audiobook, so shoutout to the audiobook narrator for bringing it to life so well! I HIGHLY suggest listening if you're trying to distinguish the different perspectives. We needed all of them, but my brain did struggle a few times before I started the audiobook.
Overall, I need more!
I included it in my best books of 2025 wrap-up: https://youtu.be/QuxvJae9_EA
I felt like I watched an entire season of Below Deck and more while reading this - and as someone who has watched every BD season in existence, I ate it right up. I'd love a sequel with one of the surviving characters... you know what I mean if you read those last few pages!
Sian Gilbert did an amazing job of driving the plot with endless twists and turns, with SO many narrative perspectives! I loved it, but I also felt like I would have been a little bit lost without the audiobook, so shoutout to the audiobook narrator for bringing it to life so well! I HIGHLY suggest listening if you're trying to distinguish the different perspectives. We needed all of them, but my brain did struggle a few times before I started the audiobook.
Overall, I need more!
I included it in my best books of 2025 wrap-up: https://youtu.be/QuxvJae9_EA
June 25, 2025
GUYS. THIS WAS AMAZING. I just listened to the audiobook and I'm still reeling from the plot twists. It's the perfect summer whodunnit - luxurious setting, complex characters, and a mystery that'll keep you guessing. I loved the full cast of characters in the audiobook, and I'm definitely going to be reading this author's other books.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperAudio for access to this audiobook!
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperAudio for access to this audiobook!
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