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A Rachel Prince Mystery #14

Cruise into Darkness

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Rachel finds herself in the dark with a murder on her hands…When a violent storm and an unexpected blackout throw the Coral Queen into chaos, newly appointed Chief of Security, Rachel Jacobi-Prince finds her controlled world sinking fast.

The mysterious death of an unidentified woman in the ship's laundry leaves Rachel navigating a maze of espionage, personal demons, and shocking betrayals

Amidst failing ship systems, encrypted leads, and treachery, Rachel’s pursuit of the truth pits her against a formidable enemy. With the help of her trusty deputy, Jason Goodridge and her best friend, Sarah they must disentangle a web of hidden agendas where every decision could mean life or death.

There are suspects aplenty to confuse our a celebrity chef determined to get below decks, an elderly passenger who knows things she shouldn't, a man who is supposed to be dead, a mysterious hacker, a bitter head of IT, and a defensive head of engineering.

As the tensions rise and the clues multiply, Rachel's every step brings her closer to secrets that will change everything – if she can survive the storm.

Brace yourself for a high-octane mystery where the stakes have never been higher.

Fans of Death in Paradise, Murder She Wrote, Agatha Christie and international crime will love this book.

Get onboard now and feel the rush!

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2025

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About the author

Dawn Brookes

142 books364 followers
Dawn Brookes is an award winning cosy mystery and crime writer who also writes memoirs and children's books.
She has an MA in Creative Writing with Distinction.

Dawn writes most days and publishes regularly, to keep up to date visit her website.

Rachel Prince Mysteries:

#1 A Cruise to Murder set during a Mediterranean cruise
#2 Deadly Cruise set during a transatlantic crossing to New York.
#3 Killer Cruise set during a Baltic cruise.
#4 Dying to Cruise set during a cruise around Australia and New Zealand.
#5 A Christmas Cruise Murder set on a Canary Island cruise.
#6 Murderous Cruise Habit set on a Caribbean cruise.
#7 Honeymoon Cruise Murder set on a Mediterranean cruise.
#8 A Murder Mystery Cruise set on a cruise to the Norwegian Ffords.
#9 Hazardous Cruise set on a Mediterranean and Adriatic cruise.
#10 Captain's Dinner Cruise Murder
#11 Corporate Cruise Murder set in India.
#12 Treacherous Cruise Flirtation set in Hawaii.
#13 Toxic Cruise Cocktail set on a SE Asia cruise.
#14 Cruise into Darkness

The Lady Marjorie Snellthorpe Mysteries

#Prequel Novella Death of a Blogger
#1 Murder at the Opera House
#2 Murder in the Highlands
#3 Murder at the Christmas Market
#4 Murder at a Wimbledon Mansion
#5 Murder in a Care Home
#6 Murder at the Regatta
#7 Murder on a Bus Tour

Carlos Jacobi PI

#1 Body in the Woods Award winning novel.
#2 The Bradgate Park Murders
#3 The Museum Murders

Nursing Memoirs

#1 Hurry up Nurse: memoirs of nurse training in the 1970s

#2 Hurry up Nurse 2: London calling
#3 Hurry up Nurse 3: More adventures in the life of a student nurse

Books are available in paperback, hardback, large print, kindle ebook, and audiobook.

Dawn grew up in Leicester, England and trained as a nurse. She later moved to London to undertake further training in the East End. Dawn worked in the NHS in England for the best part of thirty-nine years and during that time gained a wide range of experience as well as academic and professional qualifications. She also holds an MA in Creative Writing.


Dawn's website can be found at: https://www.dawnbrookespublishing.com


Children's Books

Dawn has written a number of children's books including:

Suki Seal and the Plastic Ring

Gerry the One-Eared Cat

Danny the Caterpillar

Ava & Oliver's Bonfire Night Adventure

Ava & Oliver's Christmas Nativity Adventure

Jesus Feeds a Big Crowd

Jesus Heals a Man on a Stretcher

Dawn founded a literature festival in her locality which aims to engage readers and authors with all things literature.

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Community Reviews

5 stars
237 (72%)
4 stars
67 (20%)
3 stars
18 (5%)
2 stars
3 (<1%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Profile Image for Ashli.
300 reviews
June 13, 2025
one of the best of this series

I first started reading this series a few years ago to set the mood for my first cruise and I have been hooked ever since. I’ve grown so attached to these characters over the years that every time a new book is released it’s like catching up with old friends. In this adventure is was so exciting to see Rachel take on the role of Chief of security! I’d been so looking forward to seeing her step into Waverly’s shoes since the end of the last book and it was definitely worth the wait. This story really felt like a breath of fresh air for the series. We saw characters taking on new roles, characters getting new opportunities to interact with each other in a different light because of this, and they were faced with more modern problems. This adventure felt a little darker and edgier at times, while still being the same cozy mystery series I’ve grown to love over the years.
Profile Image for Lorraine T. Chiocchi.
9 reviews
June 7, 2025
Suspenseful, great read

I just finished book14 of the Rachel Prince series. I love cruising, that’s what attracted me to this series. I couldn’t put these books down once I started one. Couldn’t wait to start the next. The characters are all so likable and after the first book you feel like you really know them and they became your friends. I’m hoping there’s a book 15 in the works. If you’re looking for a good clean suspenseful mystery book, these books are it. You won’t be disappointed.
328 reviews8 followers
June 5, 2025
This was an excellent mystery from one of my favourite authors.
I was totally pulled into the story from the very first page. It was unusual in that it involved international espionage and cyber security.
I loved the usual protagonists and seeing them unravel the multiple
All in all, this was one of the most thrilling books that I have read recently.

A pure pleasure to read.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
252 reviews4 followers
June 2, 2025
Enjoyable nonsense

An easy read! But it was obvious who the killer was from the start! Rachel should have checked everyone out and not just accepted what they said to be true! Rather remiss for a detective or chief of security! However, the book passed the time and made me want to visit Greenland.
6 reviews
June 13, 2025
Kept me guessing

The book moves with a nice flow lots of plot twists and good cruise ship descriptions.
Dawn Brookes writes well with a good story and knowledge of the people .in her story.
No matter if this is your first or 14 read you will enjoy her Books!
2 reviews
June 15, 2025
As good as, or better than the rest!

I have read all in the series and it was great to see Rachel on the other side of the cruise for a change. Kept me guessing. Love that Lady Marjorie has competition too.
Profile Image for Marion Moxhay.
268 reviews1 follower
August 5, 2025
Came across this book almost by accident. It was superb. Very well written, a multitude of possible suspects. Never guessed the right one, but I never do! Going to track down the earlier books. Too good to miss.
Profile Image for Pamela Barnes.
6 reviews
August 26, 2025
a bit different to the others in the series

I enjoyed this book, but took a while to get into it. I love Rachel and Sarah, who are the main characters and of course Jason, Rachel's right hand man and Sarah's husband. Looking forward to more Rachel Prince Mystery books
2,974 reviews14 followers
February 4, 2026
This was an exciting story with a different twist from the previous one. Kept me on the edge of my seat until I finished the book. Great mystery and characters. On to the last one I believe?! Strongly recommend this series and the book.
Profile Image for Maureen.
65 reviews
June 27, 2025
great read

Love this series. Love Rachel and friends. This one had a lot of twists and turns and spiery—enough to keep the reader guessing until the final pages.
Profile Image for Anne Tompkins.
11 reviews
July 5, 2025
Another excellent book by Dawn Brookes. Suspense and intrigue trying to figure it who did it. Another wonderful Rachel story.
47 reviews
August 5, 2025
Love the plot

It was great to read this book with a more complex plot and characters more developed. It,s a good and suspenseful whodunit
8 reviews
October 4, 2025
Cruise into Darkness

Awesome as usual…and no, I didn’t figure it out! I really thought it was the auctioneer - Akbar Thanks Dawn!!!
7 reviews
June 7, 2025
This series has always been a fun read, but Rachels latest adventure brings a more contemporary set of problems to solve. Love the character developments and consistency of ethics. Looking forward to more of these.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews