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No One Aboard
Win a free print copy of this book!
8 days and 19:39:45
10 copies available
U.S. only
The White Lotus meets The Last Thing He Told Me in this domestic mystery about a luxury sailboat found floating adrift in the ocean and the secrets of the missing family who set sail aboard it weeks before...
"No One Aboard is a riveting, astonishing debut, and Emy McGuire is an important new voice in fiction. I will read anything she writes!"
—Sarah Pekkanen, #1 New York Times bestselling author
At the start of summer, billionaire couple Francis and Lila Cameron set off on their private luxury sailboat to celebrate the high school graduation of their two beloved children.
Three weeks later, the Camerons have not been heard from, the captain hasn’t responded to radio calls, and the sailboat is found floating off the coast of Florida.
Empty.
Where are the Camerons? What happened on their trip? And what secrets does the beautiful boat hold?
Set over the course of their vacation and in the aftermath of the sailboat’s discovery, No One Aboard asks who is more dangerous to a a stormy ocean or each other?
"No One Aboard is a riveting, astonishing debut, and Emy McGuire is an important new voice in fiction. I will read anything she writes!"
—Sarah Pekkanen, #1 New York Times bestselling author
At the start of summer, billionaire couple Francis and Lila Cameron set off on their private luxury sailboat to celebrate the high school graduation of their two beloved children.
Three weeks later, the Camerons have not been heard from, the captain hasn’t responded to radio calls, and the sailboat is found floating off the coast of Florida.
Empty.
Where are the Camerons? What happened on their trip? And what secrets does the beautiful boat hold?
Set over the course of their vacation and in the aftermath of the sailboat’s discovery, No One Aboard asks who is more dangerous to a a stormy ocean or each other?
Audible Audio
Expected publication December 2, 2025
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8752 people want to read
About the author
Emy McGuire
1 book52 followersEmy McGuire holds a bachelor’s degree in theatre/creative writing from New College of Florida. She has toured nationally in the Edgar Allan Poe Show, sailed from Rome to Antigua, and written everything from ocean thrillers to pirate musicals. She lives in Colorado.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
December 1, 2025
Evoking the feel of the open ocean in all of its wild, out of control beauty, McGuire crafted a love letter to sailing all while closely studying four different characters’ behaviors, motives, and feelings. You see, for me, No One Aboard was a character-driven story about a dysfunctional family and their darkly toxic relationships. Packed to the gills with plenty of mysterious secrets, manipulative lies, and deceitful schemes, the claustrophobic feel of this locked-room setting delivered in spades. That being said, it felt more like a delicious mashup of suspense and family drama than any kind of thriller. Despite that, however, with a ratcheting pace and an ever-present sense of foreboding, I was wrapped up in this haunting tale of a fracturing family. After all, just when I thought I had it all figured out, a whopping big twist arrived on the scene.
All said and done, with a taut atmosphere that you could cut with a knife and a handful of characters who I found equally suspicious, this book was an easy slam dunk. From the rich people behaving badly to the found family vibe, there was a bit of everything in this near perfect debut. You see, the only teensy, tiny flaw that I could find was the slow burn first half. That being said, it gave me a fly-on-the-wall view of each of these characters and their secretive ways. Showing and not telling via some truly lyrical prose, the dual timelines and multiple POVs easily created a plot that kept me on the back foot throughout as twist after twist exploded into view. So if you love messy family dynamics or the feel of The White Lotus, this book is for you. After all, I had a blast riding the waves as these long-buried secrets were exposed. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
At the start of summer, billionaire couple Francis and Lila Cameron set off on their private luxury sailboat to celebrate the high school graduation of their two beloved children.
Three weeks later, the Camerons have not been heard from, the captain hasn’t responded to radio calls, and the sailboat is found floating off the coast of Florida.
Empty.
Where are the Camerons? What happened on their trip? And what secrets does the beautiful boat hold?
Thank you Emy McGuire and Gallery Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: December 2, 2025
Content warning: infidelity, drowning, violence, mention of: emotional abuse
All said and done, with a taut atmosphere that you could cut with a knife and a handful of characters who I found equally suspicious, this book was an easy slam dunk. From the rich people behaving badly to the found family vibe, there was a bit of everything in this near perfect debut. You see, the only teensy, tiny flaw that I could find was the slow burn first half. That being said, it gave me a fly-on-the-wall view of each of these characters and their secretive ways. Showing and not telling via some truly lyrical prose, the dual timelines and multiple POVs easily created a plot that kept me on the back foot throughout as twist after twist exploded into view. So if you love messy family dynamics or the feel of The White Lotus, this book is for you. After all, I had a blast riding the waves as these long-buried secrets were exposed. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
At the start of summer, billionaire couple Francis and Lila Cameron set off on their private luxury sailboat to celebrate the high school graduation of their two beloved children.
Three weeks later, the Camerons have not been heard from, the captain hasn’t responded to radio calls, and the sailboat is found floating off the coast of Florida.
Empty.
Where are the Camerons? What happened on their trip? And what secrets does the beautiful boat hold?
Thank you Emy McGuire and Gallery Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: December 2, 2025
Content warning: infidelity, drowning, violence, mention of: emotional abuse
September 21, 2025
I’ve been waiting to devour this story since its deal announcement and it did not disappoint! No One Aboard is a locked-room psychological suspense novel with unlikeable characters, dual timelines, and an overarching mystery: what happened to the Camerons?
McGuire’s writing evokes an atmosphere of claustrophobia and dread from the very first page. The pacing was exceptional — there are several mysteries at play with tidbits, reveals, and twists peppered throughout the novel — making for a compelling and emotional narrative. I loved the jumping timelines, which added tension to the plot as the chapters counted down to the Cameron’s eventual disappearance/demise. I furiously turned the pages and gasped at each reveal.
The domestic mystery is as thrilling as the overarching mystery — getting to the heart of who the Camerons are individually and as a family. In this story there are no good characters, so it all comes down to motivation — what drives a character who has been pushed to the edge time and time again — do they rise to the occasion or whither in its shadow? It’s brilliant character development when you can both despise and understand them in equal measure.
Overall, this was a fantastic debut with a richly layered plot and complex characters. I cannot wait to read what McGuire writes next!
Thank you to Netgalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Graydon House for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
McGuire’s writing evokes an atmosphere of claustrophobia and dread from the very first page. The pacing was exceptional — there are several mysteries at play with tidbits, reveals, and twists peppered throughout the novel — making for a compelling and emotional narrative. I loved the jumping timelines, which added tension to the plot as the chapters counted down to the Cameron’s eventual disappearance/demise. I furiously turned the pages and gasped at each reveal.
The domestic mystery is as thrilling as the overarching mystery — getting to the heart of who the Camerons are individually and as a family. In this story there are no good characters, so it all comes down to motivation — what drives a character who has been pushed to the edge time and time again — do they rise to the occasion or whither in its shadow? It’s brilliant character development when you can both despise and understand them in equal measure.
Overall, this was a fantastic debut with a richly layered plot and complex characters. I cannot wait to read what McGuire writes next!
Thank you to Netgalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Graydon House for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
August 4, 2025
A wild ride from start to finish!
A suspenseful thriller about a wealthy family who vanishes while on a luxury sailboat vacation.
White Lotus meets The Last Thing He Told Me - this one is equal parts domestic mystery and family drama. It is immediately intriguing and you as the reader can’t help but feel unsettled as the book goes on and the mystery unravels. Something is very wrong here…
A truly fun reading experience with nuanced, unlikable characters that hook you into their drama, a mystery that keeps getting more wild, and unexpected twists, turns, and reveals along the way. Highly recommend for those looking for a quick mystery that will make you keep turning the page!
I will say some of it was predictable and I wish we got a final resolution between characters, but otherwise I’m happy to have gone on this journey!
Read For
- Rich People Behaving Badly
- Dual Timelines
- Multiple POVs
- Complicated Family Dynamics
Thank you to the publisher for my gifted advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review
A suspenseful thriller about a wealthy family who vanishes while on a luxury sailboat vacation.
White Lotus meets The Last Thing He Told Me - this one is equal parts domestic mystery and family drama. It is immediately intriguing and you as the reader can’t help but feel unsettled as the book goes on and the mystery unravels. Something is very wrong here…
A truly fun reading experience with nuanced, unlikable characters that hook you into their drama, a mystery that keeps getting more wild, and unexpected twists, turns, and reveals along the way. Highly recommend for those looking for a quick mystery that will make you keep turning the page!
I will say some of it was predictable and I wish we got a final resolution between characters, but otherwise I’m happy to have gone on this journey!
Read For
- Rich People Behaving Badly
- Dual Timelines
- Multiple POVs
- Complicated Family Dynamics
Thank you to the publisher for my gifted advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review
May 14, 2025
I had the amazing opportunity to be one of the first people to read this book. McGuire's prose is captivating and full of imagery. The fast-paced thriller keeps you reading until all of a sudden you've finished the book and you have no idea where the time went. At the core of this story are its characters- who feel both like something out of a high-stakes Shakespeare play and like your next door neighbors. As someone who grew up in South Florida, the working-class Southern characters feel like home to me, which juxtaposes with the nouveau-riche yachting family in a clash of class tension. The comparison to White Lotus is quite apt. Don't expect to know exactly who to trust and who to root for at all times... this book affords so much complexity to all of its players. If you enjoy found families, coming-of-age stories, domestic thrillers, soap operas, the rich and powerful getting what they deserve, and murder: you will fall in love with McGuire's novel, as I certainly did.
October 16, 2025
Captivating and fast-paced, this domestic thriller is an absolute wild ride!
I was completely hooked from the very beginning — the twists were unexpected and kept me flipping the pages late into the night. With its dual timeline and layered storytelling, this mystery dives deep into complicated family dynamics and long-buried secrets, making it both gripping and emotionally charged.
A thoroughly entertaining read that blends tension, emotion, and surprise perfectly.
Thank you so much to Emy McGuire for reaching out and sending me this eARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I was completely hooked from the very beginning — the twists were unexpected and kept me flipping the pages late into the night. With its dual timeline and layered storytelling, this mystery dives deep into complicated family dynamics and long-buried secrets, making it both gripping and emotionally charged.
A thoroughly entertaining read that blends tension, emotion, and surprise perfectly.
Thank you so much to Emy McGuire for reaching out and sending me this eARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
August 17, 2025
I was so fortunate to read an ARC of this book, and I can truly say without a doubt that Emy is one of the great talents of our time. This story gripped me from page one and never let go—from the intricately woven plot, to the mysterious and intriguing characters, to the prose that had my jaw on the floor. No One Aboard is 100% just the beginning for this amazing author and I cannot wait to have this one on my shelf!
November 28, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC. I enjoyed this book, but parts were confusing/slightly underwhelming. Rylan, Tia, and Lilas story really kept the pages turning for me though. I finished this in one day because I just wanted to know WHAT HAPPENED. I wish the epilogue was slightly longer because I just neeeeeded that ending. It definitely was a page turner, and there were moments I was shocked.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC. I enjoyed this book, but parts were confusing/slightly underwhelming. Rylan, Tia, and Lilas story really kept the pages turning for me though. I finished this in one day because I just wanted to know WHAT HAPPENED. I wish the epilogue was slightly longer because I just neeeeeded that ending. It definitely was a page turner, and there were moments I was shocked.
November 3, 2025
I can’t wait to get my hands on this book!
October 27, 2025
FULL REVIEW WILL BE ON DECEMBER 2.
A yacht with no one aboard except a kitten, a cut communication line, and the words Save yOur Self written on a mirror with red lipstick.
What happened here?
Find out in this slow build, character-driven read with a great finish. 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
A yacht with no one aboard except a kitten, a cut communication line, and the words Save yOur Self written on a mirror with red lipstick.
What happened here?
Find out in this slow build, character-driven read with a great finish. 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
September 30, 2025
Thank you so much @htp_hive @htpbooks @graydonhousebooks for the complimentary DRC. #hiveinfluencer
An entertaining, rich people behaving badly, story. It’s mystery, meets lots of family drama, with a dash of soap opera.
The plot kept me guessing until the very end, which I always appreciate.. That said, I didn’t find myself emotionally invested in any of the characters, they were all so unlikeable, some moreso than others, but still no one I would root for. If you love a book full of truly hateable characters, this one’s for you.
You do need to suspend disbelief a bit, especially with some of the plot points, but if you’re here for the drama, it’s worth the ride. My only real wish? An epilogue. I needed just a little more closure.
An entertaining, rich people behaving badly, story. It’s mystery, meets lots of family drama, with a dash of soap opera.
The plot kept me guessing until the very end, which I always appreciate.. That said, I didn’t find myself emotionally invested in any of the characters, they were all so unlikeable, some moreso than others, but still no one I would root for. If you love a book full of truly hateable characters, this one’s for you.
You do need to suspend disbelief a bit, especially with some of the plot points, but if you’re here for the drama, it’s worth the ride. My only real wish? An epilogue. I needed just a little more closure.
November 30, 2025
At the start of summer, billionaire couple Francis and Lila Cameron set off on their private luxury sailboat to celebrate the high school graduation of their two beloved children. Three weeks later, the Camerons have not been heard from, the captain hasn’t responded to radio calls, and the sailboat is found floating off the coast of Florida.
EMPTY
These characters just get a bit crazier and crazier as this story moves along. And as a reader, this really keeps you guessing. This is very much a character driven tale. And I will be honest, when I first started it, I thought…I am not reading this…way too many characters. But the author does a fabulous job introducing them and keeping the intensity up.
Also, this story has some beautiful prose. It will come out of no where and surprise you. One minute you are trying to figure out what is going on and the next you are blown away with a description or a character’s feeling.
Need a story which will keep you guessing…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
EMPTY
These characters just get a bit crazier and crazier as this story moves along. And as a reader, this really keeps you guessing. This is very much a character driven tale. And I will be honest, when I first started it, I thought…I am not reading this…way too many characters. But the author does a fabulous job introducing them and keeping the intensity up.
Also, this story has some beautiful prose. It will come out of no where and surprise you. One minute you are trying to figure out what is going on and the next you are blown away with a description or a character’s feeling.
Need a story which will keep you guessing…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
Read
November 28, 2025I am still traumatized by watching Dead Calm as a teenager so I went into this with a fair amount of trepidation but I really enjoyed it.
A family of four (mom, dad, college-aged twins) sets sail in the boat with a small crew but immediately we see that something is not quite right. One person dies and the reaction of the father of the family is odd and unexpected. What is going on? Who can the kids trust? Will they all end up dead? This had a nice "We Were Liars" vibe that I think readers of psychological suspense will enjoy.
A family of four (mom, dad, college-aged twins) sets sail in the boat with a small crew but immediately we see that something is not quite right. One person dies and the reaction of the father of the family is odd and unexpected. What is going on? Who can the kids trust? Will they all end up dead? This had a nice "We Were Liars" vibe that I think readers of psychological suspense will enjoy.
May 17, 2025
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC! No One Aboard by Emy McGuire is a compelling psychological suspense that hooks you from the very first chapter. When billionaire couple Francis and Lila Cameron set off on a luxurious sailing trip to celebrate their children's graduations, no one anticipates the ominous turn the story will take. The narrative masterfully unfolds over two timelines—the idyllic days of their vacation and the tense aftermath after the boat is discovered drifting off the Florida coast, completely empty. The contrast between the carefree family moments and the sinister mystery of their disappearance creates a palpable sense of unease. McGuire does an excellent job layering secrets and motives among the family members and crew, making each character complex and suspicious. As the story progresses, the reader is taken deeper into the stormy ocean of family dynamics, unspoken truths, and hidden resentments—highlighting that sometimes, the greatest danger lies not in the elements but within ourselves. The writing is sharp, atmospheric, and keeps the suspense high until the final pages. While some plot twists may be predictable, the overall atmosphere and character development make this a satisfying read that will appeal to fans of nautical mysteries and family dramas alike. In summary, No One Aboard is a beautifully crafted, thought-provoking novel that explores the perilous waters beneath a seemingly perfect family façade. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a suspenseful, emotionally charged read.
November 17, 2025
⛵️ M Y S T E R I O U S M O N D A Y review ⛵️ featuring “No One Aboard” by Emy McGuire!
Lila and Francis Cameron have embarked on a diving trip with their fraternal twins Tia and Rylan aboard their luxury family sailing yacht called The Old Eileen.
The twins are days away from turning 18 years old and this trip is to celebrate their birthdays and high school graduation as a family. Their family dynamic has always been a bit twisted and dysfunctional and tensions are thick on a boat that is surrounded by nothing but the wide open sea.
Three weeks into their voyage, a fisherman named Jerry Baugh almost collides his boat with The Old Eileen. The yacht is found adrift within the bounds of the Bermuda Triangle and no one is aboard. Seven people have mysteriously gone missing and the yacht was over 180 nautical miles from their destination.
“You don’t get that far off course, not with four experienced sailors onboard — you just don’t. Either there was an incompetent navigator, a reason to panic, or someone had something to hide”.
💭 WOW is this book ever unsettling! The locked room setting of a yacht is perfect for a domestic thriller that doesn’t allow those onboard to escape the people they are with. The sinister and ever changing moods of the ocean/weather adds eerie, taunting and dangerous vibes to the story. My emotions felt like they were being put through a washing machine as the yacht goes off course and getting home to safety feels completely out of the question.
Thank you kindly to @emy_mcguire @graydonhousebooks @harpercollinsca @netgalley for my advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review! This book releases on December 2, 2025!
Lila and Francis Cameron have embarked on a diving trip with their fraternal twins Tia and Rylan aboard their luxury family sailing yacht called The Old Eileen.
The twins are days away from turning 18 years old and this trip is to celebrate their birthdays and high school graduation as a family. Their family dynamic has always been a bit twisted and dysfunctional and tensions are thick on a boat that is surrounded by nothing but the wide open sea.
Three weeks into their voyage, a fisherman named Jerry Baugh almost collides his boat with The Old Eileen. The yacht is found adrift within the bounds of the Bermuda Triangle and no one is aboard. Seven people have mysteriously gone missing and the yacht was over 180 nautical miles from their destination.
“You don’t get that far off course, not with four experienced sailors onboard — you just don’t. Either there was an incompetent navigator, a reason to panic, or someone had something to hide”.
💭 WOW is this book ever unsettling! The locked room setting of a yacht is perfect for a domestic thriller that doesn’t allow those onboard to escape the people they are with. The sinister and ever changing moods of the ocean/weather adds eerie, taunting and dangerous vibes to the story. My emotions felt like they were being put through a washing machine as the yacht goes off course and getting home to safety feels completely out of the question.
Thank you kindly to @emy_mcguire @graydonhousebooks @harpercollinsca @netgalley for my advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review! This book releases on December 2, 2025!
November 17, 2025
The sea keeps its secrets—and so do the Camerons.
No One Aboard lures you in with the shimmer of luxury and the promise of a perfect family getaway. But beneath the polished decks and endless horizon lies something far darker. When the Camerons’ sailboat drifts ashore—silent, empty, and soaked in mystery—you can almost hear the echo of what went wrong.
Each chapter tightens the noose of suspense, peeling back layers of deceit, envy, and desperation. What begins as a celebration at sea turns into a chilling reminder: sometimes, the people you trust most are the ones you should fear the deepest.
This isn’t just a missing-persons mystery—it’s a haunting voyage into the darkness that thrives behind closed cabin doors.
⚓️ Once you step aboard, there’s no getting off.
#NoOneAboard #DomesticThriller #PsychologicalSuspense #Bookstagram #ThrillerReads #DarkReads #MysteryBooks #OceanSecrets #WhatHappenedAtSea #BookReview #Bookish #ReadersOfInstagram #PlotTwist #SuspenseBooks
No One Aboard lures you in with the shimmer of luxury and the promise of a perfect family getaway. But beneath the polished decks and endless horizon lies something far darker. When the Camerons’ sailboat drifts ashore—silent, empty, and soaked in mystery—you can almost hear the echo of what went wrong.
Each chapter tightens the noose of suspense, peeling back layers of deceit, envy, and desperation. What begins as a celebration at sea turns into a chilling reminder: sometimes, the people you trust most are the ones you should fear the deepest.
This isn’t just a missing-persons mystery—it’s a haunting voyage into the darkness that thrives behind closed cabin doors.
⚓️ Once you step aboard, there’s no getting off.
#NoOneAboard #DomesticThriller #PsychologicalSuspense #Bookstagram #ThrillerReads #DarkReads #MysteryBooks #OceanSecrets #WhatHappenedAtSea #BookReview #Bookish #ReadersOfInstagram #PlotTwist #SuspenseBooks
September 16, 2025
What a ride!!
What a wonderful debut book!
Without giving away this creative story, I found it to be a fast-paced page turner that grabs you from chapter one. I enjoyed the quick chapters as they keep you moving and want to know what's next. Love the twists and turns with these characters!
Thank you to HarperCollins Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.
What a wonderful debut book!
Without giving away this creative story, I found it to be a fast-paced page turner that grabs you from chapter one. I enjoyed the quick chapters as they keep you moving and want to know what's next. Love the twists and turns with these characters!
Thank you to HarperCollins Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.
Want to read
June 26, 2025Thrillers are right up my alley of favorite reads. I'm SO excited for this book!!
November 23, 2025
This was a great thriller! My first by this author and so t be the last! The mystery of a luxury ship being found, with everyone that was on it, missing. I love the dual timelines and multiple POVs. I didn’t know who was at fault where and loved the ending!
November 10, 2025
This book was such a wild ride! From the first few pages I was completely hooked!! The book had many twists that kept me reading! What starts as a luxury cruise, quickly turns into a nightmare at sea, full of secrets, power struggles, and tension that keeps building with every chapter.
I loved how McGuire wrote the Cameron family. They are complicated, messy, and feel so real. You don’t always know who to trust, and that made it even more addictive. The dual timelines and different perspectives made it feel layered and emotional, while still giving that thriller vibe.
The writing is beautiful and a little much at the same time, you can literally feel the isolation on the ship. It reminded me a bit of White Lotus but darker and more psychological. Overall, it’s gripping, emotional, and full of surprises.
I loved how McGuire wrote the Cameron family. They are complicated, messy, and feel so real. You don’t always know who to trust, and that made it even more addictive. The dual timelines and different perspectives made it feel layered and emotional, while still giving that thriller vibe.
The writing is beautiful and a little much at the same time, you can literally feel the isolation on the ship. It reminded me a bit of White Lotus but darker and more psychological. Overall, it’s gripping, emotional, and full of surprises.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2025
A very tense read that was surprisingly dark. How does a prominent and very wealthy family disappear without a trace while on a luxury sail? The media can't get enough of the story and soon enough, many of their secrets start to surface.
This was an intriguing read though I would have loved more character development and a better understanding of Francis, the captain and patriarch of the Cameron family and of Lila, the matriarch. This is full of drama, loathsome characters, and shocking moments.
Thank you to Harlequin Graydon House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.
This was an intriguing read though I would have loved more character development and a better understanding of Francis, the captain and patriarch of the Cameron family and of Lila, the matriarch. This is full of drama, loathsome characters, and shocking moments.
Thank you to Harlequin Graydon House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.
November 10, 2025
See my full review of this title on my blog: Books Under the Blanket (with a flashlight): https://booksundertheblanket.com/do-w...
Live on Nov 16, 2025
Live on Nov 16, 2025
December 2, 2025
Finished reading: November 30th 2025
"He was right, after all. About more things than he realized."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Graydon House in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
August 5, 2025
🚢 Secrets Adrift in Luxury
At the start of summer, billionaire couple Francis and Lila Cameron set sail on their private luxury yacht to celebrate their children's high school graduation. But three weeks later, their boat is found adrift off the coast of Florida, completely abandoned. No signs of struggle. No trace of the family. Just silence and secrets floating on open water.
This psychological domestic mystery explores the unraveling of a powerful, wealthy family behind closed doors. What happened during their idyllic family voyage? And what dark truths lie hidden beneath the surface?
From the opening pages, No One Aboard immediately pulled me in with its title, cover, and blurb. I expected a sharp, suspenseful thriller—and while this leans more into slow-burning psychological suspense, Emy McGuire’s prose is richly atmospheric and vividly detailed. I was shocked to learn at the end that this was written after just 90 days spent living on a sailboat. The writing made it feel like the author had a lifetime of nautical experience.
This is a character-driven story with a sharp lens on wealth, dysfunction, and control. The Cameron family is deeply flawed—Francis, a narcissistic patriarch; Lila, a self-absorbed, overbearing mother; Rylan, the emotionally fractured golden boy; and Tia, the strongest and most likeable character by far. Tia’s arc shows solid development, and she was easy to root for. Rylan, on the other hand, drove me up the wall. His weak, neurotic behavior grated on me, but it was also believable given his upbringing.
The supporting cast, while less developed, offered a slight reprieve from the toxicity of the Cameron’s. I especially liked Jerry, and Sir Franklin (aka Pirate) the cat stole a piece of my heart—though I do wish we had more closure on him!
One structural choice that didn’t quite land for me was the use of news article chapters. While I understand the intention behind them, to add realism and widen the narrative scope, they interrupted the flow and didn't add much tension or urgency for me personally.
Despite this, the pacing was steady and the twists well-placed. I didn’t see them coming. One in particular made me exclaim out loud. That “wait, what?!” moment gave the story a memorable punch.
While I hoped for more thriller elements, I can confidently say McGuire’s writing is smart and captivating, and her storytelling has strong potential, and I look forward to see what else she will deliver in the future. If you enjoy layered family dramas with an ominous edge and flawed characters navigating emotional storms, this is worth checking out.
📅 No One Aboard sails into stores December 2, 2025.
Thank you to Emy McGuire, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
At the start of summer, billionaire couple Francis and Lila Cameron set sail on their private luxury yacht to celebrate their children's high school graduation. But three weeks later, their boat is found adrift off the coast of Florida, completely abandoned. No signs of struggle. No trace of the family. Just silence and secrets floating on open water.
This psychological domestic mystery explores the unraveling of a powerful, wealthy family behind closed doors. What happened during their idyllic family voyage? And what dark truths lie hidden beneath the surface?
From the opening pages, No One Aboard immediately pulled me in with its title, cover, and blurb. I expected a sharp, suspenseful thriller—and while this leans more into slow-burning psychological suspense, Emy McGuire’s prose is richly atmospheric and vividly detailed. I was shocked to learn at the end that this was written after just 90 days spent living on a sailboat. The writing made it feel like the author had a lifetime of nautical experience.
This is a character-driven story with a sharp lens on wealth, dysfunction, and control. The Cameron family is deeply flawed—Francis, a narcissistic patriarch; Lila, a self-absorbed, overbearing mother; Rylan, the emotionally fractured golden boy; and Tia, the strongest and most likeable character by far. Tia’s arc shows solid development, and she was easy to root for. Rylan, on the other hand, drove me up the wall. His weak, neurotic behavior grated on me, but it was also believable given his upbringing.
The supporting cast, while less developed, offered a slight reprieve from the toxicity of the Cameron’s. I especially liked Jerry, and Sir Franklin (aka Pirate) the cat stole a piece of my heart—though I do wish we had more closure on him!
One structural choice that didn’t quite land for me was the use of news article chapters. While I understand the intention behind them, to add realism and widen the narrative scope, they interrupted the flow and didn't add much tension or urgency for me personally.
Despite this, the pacing was steady and the twists well-placed. I didn’t see them coming. One in particular made me exclaim out loud. That “wait, what?!” moment gave the story a memorable punch.
While I hoped for more thriller elements, I can confidently say McGuire’s writing is smart and captivating, and her storytelling has strong potential, and I look forward to see what else she will deliver in the future. If you enjoy layered family dramas with an ominous edge and flawed characters navigating emotional storms, this is worth checking out.
📅 No One Aboard sails into stores December 2, 2025.
Thank you to Emy McGuire, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 22, 2025
💨 ARC REVIEW 💨
PUB DATE: DEC 1st 2025
My RATING: ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫 4.5 Nautical Stars
“She left her remorse to be swallowed by the storm and climbed back belowdecks to draw a bath…”
“Tia loosened her grasp on the helm, Francis reached for it. And for a moment , her father’s eyes were that of the storm , a breath of temporary calm”…
Y’all listen up Bookpals have I got a thriller for you !!🙌🏼🙌🏼
Wow buckle up and put your life jacket on for this one , because this is a stormy ride !!
I LOVED this book, it was so binge able , I could NOT put this one down !!
There was this strong forbidding playing In the background and as the reader you patiently waited bracing for impact and you could see the storm brewing on the horizon , but couldn’t quite touch until the very last page !!
I don’t know how to tell this story without giving anything away .
What I will say is , this book held my attention the entire time !
A family sets sail for the twins 18th birthday , Tia and Rylans , who couldn’t be more opposite from one another, and one has plans to run away and wishes the other to follow.
But there is tension amongst the family and things are not quite as they seem , and if you don’t put your life preserver 🛟 on , someone may end up dead 💀!!
This locked room ocean thriller , will have you up until the wee hours of the night , and you won’t breathe a sigh until the very last page .
The pacing was executed perfectly, the detail in the writing was superb and had these rich and raw characters adding this element of realness to the story !!
My only reason for not a 5 star is I guessed one plot very early on without meaning too( unless that was the author’s intention) other than that I HIGHLY recommend you add t is one to your TBR !!
Thanks for reading 📖
QOTD - Would you live on a sailboat? ⛵️ or would you like to go sailing out to sea for a long period ?🤷🏻♀️
AOtD - the idea sounds amazing but I think I’d get sea sick very quickly 😂😂
Thank you NetGalley , Harlequin Trade Publishing & Emy McGuire for this wild ARC!!
PUB DATE: DEC 1st 2025
My RATING: ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫 4.5 Nautical Stars
“She left her remorse to be swallowed by the storm and climbed back belowdecks to draw a bath…”
“Tia loosened her grasp on the helm, Francis reached for it. And for a moment , her father’s eyes were that of the storm , a breath of temporary calm”…
Y’all listen up Bookpals have I got a thriller for you !!🙌🏼🙌🏼
Wow buckle up and put your life jacket on for this one , because this is a stormy ride !!
I LOVED this book, it was so binge able , I could NOT put this one down !!
There was this strong forbidding playing In the background and as the reader you patiently waited bracing for impact and you could see the storm brewing on the horizon , but couldn’t quite touch until the very last page !!
I don’t know how to tell this story without giving anything away .
What I will say is , this book held my attention the entire time !
A family sets sail for the twins 18th birthday , Tia and Rylans , who couldn’t be more opposite from one another, and one has plans to run away and wishes the other to follow.
But there is tension amongst the family and things are not quite as they seem , and if you don’t put your life preserver 🛟 on , someone may end up dead 💀!!
This locked room ocean thriller , will have you up until the wee hours of the night , and you won’t breathe a sigh until the very last page .
The pacing was executed perfectly, the detail in the writing was superb and had these rich and raw characters adding this element of realness to the story !!
My only reason for not a 5 star is I guessed one plot very early on without meaning too( unless that was the author’s intention) other than that I HIGHLY recommend you add t is one to your TBR !!
Thanks for reading 📖
QOTD - Would you live on a sailboat? ⛵️ or would you like to go sailing out to sea for a long period ?🤷🏻♀️
AOtD - the idea sounds amazing but I think I’d get sea sick very quickly 😂😂
Thank you NetGalley , Harlequin Trade Publishing & Emy McGuire for this wild ARC!!
November 14, 2025
I've always been fascinated with ghost ships, so the premise of NO ONE ABOARD snagged my attention right off the bat. I instantly wanted to know what happened to the Camerons, why their boat returned without them, and what family drama/secrets played out while they were aboard the Old Eileen. Then I met the Camerons and their crew and, wow, are they an unlikeable bunch! Almost to a one, they are shallow, self-centered, manipulative, greedy snobs. True, none of the characters are developed enough to feel like anything other than a stereotype, but still, they're not a group I would want to hang out with at all and by the end of the novel, I really didn't care what happened to any of them because they are pretty much all awful.
My other big beef with the book is that so much of the plot is illogical and unbelievable. The characters don't act the way real people act. I can only suspend my disbelief for so long before a story just feels ridiculous. One thing that would have helped make the Camerons a little more digestible while also adding some much-needed complexity and suspense to NO ONE ABOARD is alternating perspectives/timelines between what happened aboard the boat and the investigation of it. Even the Epilogue doesn't explain everything.
As much as I disliked these aspects of the book, I never DNFd it, which I guess says something. I was interested enough to finish a novel I really didn't care for, so something about it kept me reading. That's the only reason I'm giving it two stars. Otherwise, meh, I really did not care for this read.
If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for language, violence, blood/gore, and disturbing subject matter
My other big beef with the book is that so much of the plot is illogical and unbelievable. The characters don't act the way real people act. I can only suspend my disbelief for so long before a story just feels ridiculous. One thing that would have helped make the Camerons a little more digestible while also adding some much-needed complexity and suspense to NO ONE ABOARD is alternating perspectives/timelines between what happened aboard the boat and the investigation of it. Even the Epilogue doesn't explain everything.
As much as I disliked these aspects of the book, I never DNFd it, which I guess says something. I was interested enough to finish a novel I really didn't care for, so something about it kept me reading. That's the only reason I'm giving it two stars. Otherwise, meh, I really did not care for this read.
If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for language, violence, blood/gore, and disturbing subject matter
November 26, 2025
Solid 'Second Screen' Book. Apparently there is a concept Netflix show/ movie producers call 'second screen' - meaning, essentially, that the video must be produced and the story easy enough to follow even as someone is actually doing something else. Thus, actions are spoken - "I'm cutting the veggies now" - and are loud and concise. Rather than simply showing the character cutting the veggies. Plots are simplified and characters a bit more stereotypical than perhaps fully fleshed out, nuanced, "real" people.
This is *exactly* that kind of book - and there is absolutely *NOTHING* wrong with that. Netflix is making bank right now on exactly this type of content, so why shouldn't authors take a stab at it as well? Not everything has to be a hyper complicated, hyper real "oh, you missed on page 33 paragraph 3 sentence 2 that this thing had this hyper specific property" kind of tale to be enjoyable. Quite the opposite, I would argue - sometimes, *particularly* during the holidays, you really want something you can just consume while vegging out a bit yourself. Many romance novels - the "bubblegum pop" and "Hallmarkie" ones in particular - offer exactly this level of escapism, so why can't mystery tales have this from time to time?
For what this book actually *is*, it really is a solid work of its type. One that is enjoyable even at its near-400 page length, and one that can work in exactly the kinds of scenarios I describe above - where perhaps you need some time during the hectic holiday season to simply zone out with a good enough book - quite well indeed.
Very much recommended.
This is *exactly* that kind of book - and there is absolutely *NOTHING* wrong with that. Netflix is making bank right now on exactly this type of content, so why shouldn't authors take a stab at it as well? Not everything has to be a hyper complicated, hyper real "oh, you missed on page 33 paragraph 3 sentence 2 that this thing had this hyper specific property" kind of tale to be enjoyable. Quite the opposite, I would argue - sometimes, *particularly* during the holidays, you really want something you can just consume while vegging out a bit yourself. Many romance novels - the "bubblegum pop" and "Hallmarkie" ones in particular - offer exactly this level of escapism, so why can't mystery tales have this from time to time?
For what this book actually *is*, it really is a solid work of its type. One that is enjoyable even at its near-400 page length, and one that can work in exactly the kinds of scenarios I describe above - where perhaps you need some time during the hectic holiday season to simply zone out with a good enough book - quite well indeed.
Very much recommended.
December 1, 2025
Jerry Baugh was out night fishing when he came next to a large sailboat. When no one responded to his calls, he got into his dingy and boarded the vessel. He found no one but he did find a message on a bathroom mirror saying “Save your Self.” When he contacts the authorities, they tell him that according to maritime law, if the owners do not return to claim the boat, it belongs to him.
The Cameron family is very wealthy due mostly to Captain Francis Cameron’s successful yachting company. His wife, Lila has had a successful career as an actress. They are parents to 17-year-old twins Rylan and Tia.
As the twins have just graduated from high school their father has planned a trip on their large sailboat called “The Old Eileen.” Along with them are several crew members.
There is lots of tension within the family. Rylan is dogged by his father trying to make a man out of him when he truly loves his art. Tia has always been outspoken and for her troubles ended spending the last year of high school at a boarding school where she was not even allowed to visit home.
As the days pass, we encounter a truly dysfunctional family and lots of anger suppressed by the twins. Soon, danger erupts and horrible things happen and no one is truly sure if they are actually heading for their Florida home or not.
Wow! This was one tense and nail-biting book. Anyone who is an experienced sailor will especially love the story but that’s not a necessity to enjoy it. Don’t miss this one!
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The Cameron family is very wealthy due mostly to Captain Francis Cameron’s successful yachting company. His wife, Lila has had a successful career as an actress. They are parents to 17-year-old twins Rylan and Tia.
As the twins have just graduated from high school their father has planned a trip on their large sailboat called “The Old Eileen.” Along with them are several crew members.
There is lots of tension within the family. Rylan is dogged by his father trying to make a man out of him when he truly loves his art. Tia has always been outspoken and for her troubles ended spending the last year of high school at a boarding school where she was not even allowed to visit home.
As the days pass, we encounter a truly dysfunctional family and lots of anger suppressed by the twins. Soon, danger erupts and horrible things happen and no one is truly sure if they are actually heading for their Florida home or not.
Wow! This was one tense and nail-biting book. Anyone who is an experienced sailor will especially love the story but that’s not a necessity to enjoy it. Don’t miss this one!
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
June 24, 2025
Many thanks to the publisher, Harper Collins, for the opportunity to read an ARC of No One Abord by Emy McGuire.
No One Aboard is a gripping domestic thriller that reads like the brilliant, twisted offspring of Swiss Family Robinson and Lord of the Flies. Told through multiple perspectives, Emy McGuire masterfully weaves a story full of tension, secrets, and shifting power dynamics that kept me hooked from the very first page.
The Cameron family is at the heart of this novel—each member strong-willed, layered, and driven by their own hidden motives. What makes this book stand out is how each character’s choices feel so deeply rooted in their personality. The alternating viewpoints don’t just build suspense; they create a kaleidoscopic sense of truth that kept me second-guessing everyone’s intentions.
I usually devour thrillers quickly, but I found myself deliberately slowing down to savor this one. McGuire's writing is tight, the pacing deliberate, and the atmosphere palpably tense. And the ending? Satisfyingly smart and emotionally grounded.
If you love thrillers with psychological depth, family drama, and a plot that keeps unfolding in unexpected ways, No One Aboard belongs on your radar. I’ll be thinking about this one for a while!
No One Aboard is a gripping domestic thriller that reads like the brilliant, twisted offspring of Swiss Family Robinson and Lord of the Flies. Told through multiple perspectives, Emy McGuire masterfully weaves a story full of tension, secrets, and shifting power dynamics that kept me hooked from the very first page.
The Cameron family is at the heart of this novel—each member strong-willed, layered, and driven by their own hidden motives. What makes this book stand out is how each character’s choices feel so deeply rooted in their personality. The alternating viewpoints don’t just build suspense; they create a kaleidoscopic sense of truth that kept me second-guessing everyone’s intentions.
I usually devour thrillers quickly, but I found myself deliberately slowing down to savor this one. McGuire's writing is tight, the pacing deliberate, and the atmosphere palpably tense. And the ending? Satisfyingly smart and emotionally grounded.
If you love thrillers with psychological depth, family drama, and a plot that keeps unfolding in unexpected ways, No One Aboard belongs on your radar. I’ll be thinking about this one for a while!
May 14, 2025
I wrote this novel in a time of my life where I was very much coming of age alongside my characters (not that this twisted, nautical, dysfunctional familial warfare of a book should be confused with being heart-warming). I had just come back from being at sea for three months, sailing across the Atlantic with other college students, and I was coming to terms with the fact that writing was the thing that made me the happiest and also devastatingly depressed. I was twelve months out from graduation, inundated with the finality of friendships, academia, and thesising.
NO ONE ABOARD began as a love letter to the ocean I had just finished crossing, but more than that, to the complicated, curious, and (at times) catastrophic relationships I had built with the people I sailed alongside as well as those I had left behind on dry land. If you have come here to be thrilled, entertained, shocked, and perhaps even provoked, I can say that I believe you have come to the right place.
Happy reading, my friends, and fair winds and seas to you all. ♡
NO ONE ABOARD began as a love letter to the ocean I had just finished crossing, but more than that, to the complicated, curious, and (at times) catastrophic relationships I had built with the people I sailed alongside as well as those I had left behind on dry land. If you have come here to be thrilled, entertained, shocked, and perhaps even provoked, I can say that I believe you have come to the right place.
Happy reading, my friends, and fair winds and seas to you all. ♡
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