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All at Sea
A murder at sea, a killer below deck?
BELOW DECK meets KNIVES OUT in this breathless voyage into murder and mayhem on the high seas…
Howie Temple is down on his luck and desperate for cash. Once an action movie star, he now lives off a crumbling reputation. On his way to film a new reality TV show, which casts a team of c-list celebrities as crew aboard a luxury yacht, he meets fellow contestant, influencer-of-the-moment Cassandra Troy. The duo take an immediate dislike to each other.
After a hectic first day of filming, the pair are shocked discover that the captain of the ship has been murdered – locked in his control room, slumped over the wheel, a knife in his back. Convinced by the show’s ever-opportunistic director to keep the cameras rolling, the pair team-up to hunt the murderer.
Will the show make Howie and Cassandra bigger stars than they could ever dream of? And can they crack the case before the killer strikes again, or will they go down with this sinking ship?
BELOW DECK meets KNIVES OUT in this breathless voyage into murder and mayhem on the high seas…
Howie Temple is down on his luck and desperate for cash. Once an action movie star, he now lives off a crumbling reputation. On his way to film a new reality TV show, which casts a team of c-list celebrities as crew aboard a luxury yacht, he meets fellow contestant, influencer-of-the-moment Cassandra Troy. The duo take an immediate dislike to each other.
After a hectic first day of filming, the pair are shocked discover that the captain of the ship has been murdered – locked in his control room, slumped over the wheel, a knife in his back. Convinced by the show’s ever-opportunistic director to keep the cameras rolling, the pair team-up to hunt the murderer.
Will the show make Howie and Cassandra bigger stars than they could ever dream of? And can they crack the case before the killer strikes again, or will they go down with this sinking ship?
416 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 12, 2026
7 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 29, 2025
***Advance review copy received from NetGalley in return for an honest review***
Washed-up action star Howie Temple signs on for a reality TV show aboard a luxury yacht, surrounded by C-list celebrities and influencers. But when the captain is found murdered, locked in the control room with a knife in his back, the cameras keep rolling and Howie is pushed into a reluctant sleuthing partnership with influencer Cassandra Troy. With secrets surfacing below deck and the producers desperate for drama, the pair have to work out who the killer is before they become the next victims.
I thought this was an okay read. The premise is fun, and the blend of reality TV antics with a murder mystery has plenty of potential. But for me the execution didn’t quite land. The humour sometimes fell flat, the pacing felt uneven, and I struggled to stay fully engaged with the characters.
If you enjoy locked-room style mysteries in glamorous settings, this might appeal. Readers who like the blend of camp and crime in Knives Out or the tongue-in-cheek approach of Whitelaw’s Bingo Hall Detectives may find this more satisfying.
Washed-up action star Howie Temple signs on for a reality TV show aboard a luxury yacht, surrounded by C-list celebrities and influencers. But when the captain is found murdered, locked in the control room with a knife in his back, the cameras keep rolling and Howie is pushed into a reluctant sleuthing partnership with influencer Cassandra Troy. With secrets surfacing below deck and the producers desperate for drama, the pair have to work out who the killer is before they become the next victims.
I thought this was an okay read. The premise is fun, and the blend of reality TV antics with a murder mystery has plenty of potential. But for me the execution didn’t quite land. The humour sometimes fell flat, the pacing felt uneven, and I struggled to stay fully engaged with the characters.
If you enjoy locked-room style mysteries in glamorous settings, this might appeal. Readers who like the blend of camp and crime in Knives Out or the tongue-in-cheek approach of Whitelaw’s Bingo Hall Detectives may find this more satisfying.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A right camp ‘carry on’ featuring some ‘celebs’ on a Saudi owned luxury boat who think they are about to film a reality TV show where they do all the jobs and serve the guests, bit ‘Below Deck’ and Celeb Big Brother on a boat ( without the evictions! )
But then theres a ‘murderrrrrr’ and aging and forgotten movie star Howie Temple and ‘influencer’ Cassandra Troy find themselves being tasked with solving it
It’s a romp of a read even though a serious subject matter, had me laughing and smiling all through at the humour, hi jinx and sarky back biting dialogue ( thanks ‘celeb philosopher’ Marion )
It’s totally OTT and in most parts unbelievable but I carethed not as it was a good, relaxing and funny read that demanded little and gave much
I took it for what it was and had a great time onboard 😊
But then theres a ‘murderrrrrr’ and aging and forgotten movie star Howie Temple and ‘influencer’ Cassandra Troy find themselves being tasked with solving it
It’s a romp of a read even though a serious subject matter, had me laughing and smiling all through at the humour, hi jinx and sarky back biting dialogue ( thanks ‘celeb philosopher’ Marion )
It’s totally OTT and in most parts unbelievable but I carethed not as it was a good, relaxing and funny read that demanded little and gave much
I took it for what it was and had a great time onboard 😊
February 16, 2026
Written in a straightforward, humorous style, I found the story absorbing and totally unpredictable. It made the book difficult to put down as I kept turning the page to find out what the two would-be detectives would have to cope with next.
A fun romp for those looking for a cozy mystery perfect for curling up with on a cold winter’s day or as a summer beach read.
A fun romp for those looking for a cozy mystery perfect for curling up with on a cold winter’s day or as a summer beach read.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews