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The Yacht Party
Some friendships you outgrow. Some you outlive…
Bridget is suffocating. Trapped by the monotony of her everyday life and the relentless bills landing on her doormat. So when an old friend invites her for a week on his superyacht, she jumps at the chance to escape. Champagne at sunset. Turquoise waters. A reunion with friends who were once inseparable, before fame, heartbreak, and failure tore them apart.
But the dream shatters fast.
The first death looks like an accident. With the second, doubt creeps in. By the third, they know. Someone on board is hunting them down.
As a storm descends, long-buried secrets rise to the surface. And when the killer strikes again, there’s no running from the past…
A chilling and unputdownable thriller for fans of Lucy Foley, The Woman in Cabin 10 and Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None.
Bridget is suffocating. Trapped by the monotony of her everyday life and the relentless bills landing on her doormat. So when an old friend invites her for a week on his superyacht, she jumps at the chance to escape. Champagne at sunset. Turquoise waters. A reunion with friends who were once inseparable, before fame, heartbreak, and failure tore them apart.
But the dream shatters fast.
The first death looks like an accident. With the second, doubt creeps in. By the third, they know. Someone on board is hunting them down.
As a storm descends, long-buried secrets rise to the surface. And when the killer strikes again, there’s no running from the past…
A chilling and unputdownable thriller for fans of Lucy Foley, The Woman in Cabin 10 and Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 3, 2026
363 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
About the author
Benedict Brown
48 books537 followersWriting has always been my passion. It was my favourite hour a week at primary school, and I started on my first, truly abysmal book as a teenager. So it wasn’t a difficult decision to study literature at university which led to an MA in Creative Writing. I spent a long time writing kids’ books, including funny fairy tales, dystopic adventures and serious issue-based YA, before switching to murder mysteries last year.
I grew up in a crime fiction family and spent a long time dreaming up the idea for my detective Izzy Palmer’s debut novel. A Corpse Called Bob is my first full-length book for adults in what is already becoming a long series.
I’m a Welsh-Irish-Englishman originally from South London but now living with my French/Spanish wife and slightly muddled daughter in Burgos, a beautiful city in the north of Spain. I write overlooking the Castilian countryside, trying not to be distracted by the vultures and red kites that fly past my window each day.
I grew up in a crime fiction family and spent a long time dreaming up the idea for my detective Izzy Palmer’s debut novel. A Corpse Called Bob is my first full-length book for adults in what is already becoming a long series.
I’m a Welsh-Irish-Englishman originally from South London but now living with my French/Spanish wife and slightly muddled daughter in Burgos, a beautiful city in the north of Spain. I write overlooking the Castilian countryside, trying not to be distracted by the vultures and red kites that fly past my window each day.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
February 4, 2026
An invitation to spend a week on a luxury yacht with a group of old friends should be amazing but things start to go wrong right from the beginning. Then they get worse. The total body count is impressive.
The story is written with changing POVs from various members of the group. This means not only plenty of opportunities for the author to throw up red herrings but also to provide genuine clues. I was so sure I had picked the the killer but then found I was wrong only for there to be a huge twist and I was right. I like when that happens.
I thought this was an entertaining read with a number of excellent characters and an intriguing mystery. A hint if you are planning to read it. Read the prologue carefully - it makes the ending even more fun.
The story is written with changing POVs from various members of the group. This means not only plenty of opportunities for the author to throw up red herrings but also to provide genuine clues. I was so sure I had picked the the killer but then found I was wrong only for there to be a huge twist and I was right. I like when that happens.
I thought this was an entertaining read with a number of excellent characters and an intriguing mystery. A hint if you are planning to read it. Read the prologue carefully - it makes the ending even more fun.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I didn't love or hate this, it was just an average good read. Insprised by and then there were none etc.
Would recommend if you're looking for something easy and engaging. The likeable and unlikeable characters were done well IMO.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Would recommend if you're looking for something easy and engaging. The likeable and unlikeable characters were done well IMO.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.
February 10, 2026
Well this was something different.
I've read a number of this author's cosy murder mysteries before and by and large, enjoyed them. They are set in the golden age of crime so I was a little unsure of how much I would enjoy a modern day thriller.
I needn't have worried.
While it was maybe a little slow to get going, this was an engaging and enthralling book that as I got deeper, I got more and more invested. There were elements of dark academia in this book, an arty university, friends caught up in fame, drink, drugs and who knew what else. Deep and dark secrets that tore this close knit group apart. That was years ago, but when Ade, the famous musician of the group invites them to a private yacht party, it isn't long before the words and insults start flying. And weapons too.
Everything is peeled back slowly but surely, and there are multiple times when the whole narrative is upended in a variety of ways. Things are shown through a different lens and suddenly everything you thought you knew, took on a whole different light.
The characters are, for the most part, delightfully unlikeable. Which helps when its a bloodbath book. I think there was only one death I was sad about, and that was down to one of those twists I'd mentioned before, reframing the narrative and making us realise that what we thought, wasn't accurate.
I was roughly 75% through without any idea who the killer was, although I had lots of theories. Usually I'm pretty good at guessing the killer, and as the final few chapters passed by, it did become obvious and I'm pleased to say, for the most part, fitted in with what had come before. I loved that I had so many ideas, that I was thinking about this book when I wasn't reading it. And some of my theories were right, which is always fun.
A really fun book that does dip into some dark waters, this is well worth the read.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
I've read a number of this author's cosy murder mysteries before and by and large, enjoyed them. They are set in the golden age of crime so I was a little unsure of how much I would enjoy a modern day thriller.
I needn't have worried.
While it was maybe a little slow to get going, this was an engaging and enthralling book that as I got deeper, I got more and more invested. There were elements of dark academia in this book, an arty university, friends caught up in fame, drink, drugs and who knew what else. Deep and dark secrets that tore this close knit group apart. That was years ago, but when Ade, the famous musician of the group invites them to a private yacht party, it isn't long before the words and insults start flying. And weapons too.
Everything is peeled back slowly but surely, and there are multiple times when the whole narrative is upended in a variety of ways. Things are shown through a different lens and suddenly everything you thought you knew, took on a whole different light.
The characters are, for the most part, delightfully unlikeable. Which helps when its a bloodbath book. I think there was only one death I was sad about, and that was down to one of those twists I'd mentioned before, reframing the narrative and making us realise that what we thought, wasn't accurate.
I was roughly 75% through without any idea who the killer was, although I had lots of theories. Usually I'm pretty good at guessing the killer, and as the final few chapters passed by, it did become obvious and I'm pleased to say, for the most part, fitted in with what had come before. I loved that I had so many ideas, that I was thinking about this book when I wasn't reading it. And some of my theories were right, which is always fun.
A really fun book that does dip into some dark waters, this is well worth the read.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
February 7, 2026
THE YACHT PARTY by Benedict Brown
🌟🌟🌟.5 STARS (rounding down)
Benedict Brown is new to my shelf, but the premise instantly hooked me. The prologue opens with chaos at sea and someone creeping around the yacht after a bloodbath. I love dramatic prologues like that!
An old friend, now a famous star, invites the college friends he left behind to join him on his mega yacht. I’d be packing my cutest sunglasses before he finished the invite. That’s the vibe of “The Yacht Party.” You can sense the group’s excitement as they step onto the yacht, but there’s definitely some tension too.
Thanks to the author and Storm Publishing for this #GiftedARC via #NetGalley.
Nothing ruins a luxury getaway faster than a dead body. The moment that happens, the whole vibe changes. Everyone starts acting a little too innocent and helpful. I was side-eyeing half the cast; no one feels truly harmless.
There are definitely fun moments sprinkled throughout, and the premise is good. I liked the tension between old friendships and new secrets, and the way the story nudges you to question each version of events. Still, something didn’t fully click for me. I wanted more punch and spark, especially with such a juicy setup.
This might be the perfect thriller for someone else. If you’re into locked-room mysteries, messy reunions, and people trying to stay calm while stuck on a yacht with a killer, you might love this one.
#TheYachtParty
🌟🌟🌟.5 STARS (rounding down)
Benedict Brown is new to my shelf, but the premise instantly hooked me. The prologue opens with chaos at sea and someone creeping around the yacht after a bloodbath. I love dramatic prologues like that!
An old friend, now a famous star, invites the college friends he left behind to join him on his mega yacht. I’d be packing my cutest sunglasses before he finished the invite. That’s the vibe of “The Yacht Party.” You can sense the group’s excitement as they step onto the yacht, but there’s definitely some tension too.
Thanks to the author and Storm Publishing for this #GiftedARC via #NetGalley.
Nothing ruins a luxury getaway faster than a dead body. The moment that happens, the whole vibe changes. Everyone starts acting a little too innocent and helpful. I was side-eyeing half the cast; no one feels truly harmless.
There are definitely fun moments sprinkled throughout, and the premise is good. I liked the tension between old friendships and new secrets, and the way the story nudges you to question each version of events. Still, something didn’t fully click for me. I wanted more punch and spark, especially with such a juicy setup.
This might be the perfect thriller for someone else. If you’re into locked-room mysteries, messy reunions, and people trying to stay calm while stuck on a yacht with a killer, you might love this one.
#TheYachtParty
March 16, 2026
Oooh, boy. Brown did it again. I didn't know what to think of this one, but since it was available on Audio, I went ahead and gave it a shot. Boy am I glad I did.
Full of twists and turns, The Yacht Party features a cast of friends out for a reconnecting pleasure trip and ends up feeling just a bit like "And Then There Were None." Brown proves that you don't need pages of foul words to tell a realistic story. I mean, I believed every character, and, of couse, ended up discovering how wrong I was about them.
I'd set on a culprit pretty early on, and everything that happened pointed to her--and to the person who actually did it. I just didn't see that part (too focused on all the "proofs" for my theory."
What I think I liked best I can't say without spoilers, but suffice to say, Brown didn't do what you might expect with this sort of novel, and because he didn't, you might scratch your head until the moment you realize what he's done.
Well done. I'm not sure why I'm hovering at 4.25. I suspect I'll be back to round up to at LEAST 4.5 which will push it into 5 star territory.
Full of twists and turns, The Yacht Party features a cast of friends out for a reconnecting pleasure trip and ends up feeling just a bit like "And Then There Were None." Brown proves that you don't need pages of foul words to tell a realistic story. I mean, I believed every character, and, of couse, ended up discovering how wrong I was about them.
I'd set on a culprit pretty early on, and everything that happened pointed to her--and to the person who actually did it. I just didn't see that part (too focused on all the "proofs" for my theory."
What I think I liked best I can't say without spoilers, but suffice to say, Brown didn't do what you might expect with this sort of novel, and because he didn't, you might scratch your head until the moment you realize what he's done.
Well done. I'm not sure why I'm hovering at 4.25. I suspect I'll be back to round up to at LEAST 4.5 which will push it into 5 star territory.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Storm Publishing for the early arc of this book.
Blurb
Bridget is suffocating. Trapped by the monotony of her everyday life and the relentless bills landing on her doormat. So when an old friend invites her for a week on his superyacht, she jumps at the chance to escape. Champagne at sunset. Turquoise waters. A reunion with friends who were once inseparable before fame, heartbreak, and failure tore them apart.
But the dream shatters fast.
When a death looks like a suicide nobody questions it until another death happens.
This was a fantastic thriller read that i binge read. i had to know who was behind the deaths and what a plot twist. Never would have guessed this at all.
Definitely one for your tbr.
Kerry Kennedy Author
Blurb
Bridget is suffocating. Trapped by the monotony of her everyday life and the relentless bills landing on her doormat. So when an old friend invites her for a week on his superyacht, she jumps at the chance to escape. Champagne at sunset. Turquoise waters. A reunion with friends who were once inseparable before fame, heartbreak, and failure tore them apart.
But the dream shatters fast.
When a death looks like a suicide nobody questions it until another death happens.
This was a fantastic thriller read that i binge read. i had to know who was behind the deaths and what a plot twist. Never would have guessed this at all.
Definitely one for your tbr.
Kerry Kennedy Author
March 10, 2026
It was mediocre.
December 22, 2025
What a scary dark thriller! I loved the locked room feel of the yacht and the quirky characters. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
January 6, 2026
The Yacht Party by Benedict Brown, I just finished this book and wow was not expecting that ending. In the book Aid invites his fellow flatmates and a super fan to his yacht for a free vacation. They were all college roommates except for Ryan who was a super fan after Aid left school and became a famous rockstar fellow flat make Jacob should’ve been right next to his side but do to an unspoken grievance in an alcohol problem he left before the band became popular Bridget is Jake’s ex and even quit her job to make sure she’s on the yacht when it sales Tom and Sophie got married after college and have issues of their own and how can I forget Aid’s current bandmate in right hand man Mick who’s suffering from his own drug issues and then there’s plain background character Clara. The ex roommates their luggage and all their past baggage the first night or having a great time and then Clara gets pushed into the sea thankfully Bridget is there to save her but it’s soon goes from an attempted murder to actual murders that look like overdoses suicide and the whole time those who are left are trying to figure out who is doing this in the answer really surprise me but the ending surprise me even more. I love a book with multiple twist and this one definitely delivered that I don’t know that I’ve never read a book by this author but would definitely read another one by him, her them? In any event this was a great thriller awesome entertainment although most of the characters weren’t that likable although I kinda liked Jake and Bridget but that was only slightly. As for the book I really enjoyed it #NedGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What would you do if an invitation for a holiday aboard a yacht from an old friend landed in your mailbox? An exotic trip with all expenses paid… no one would say no to that.
It’s exactly what Bridget needs to add some colour to her life, so she doesn’t hesitate for a moment. She’s also looking forward to seeing several of her old friends again.
Had she known what awaited her, she probably would have made a very different decision…
It doesn’t take long before the dream trip turns into a true nightmare.
Who is the person so cold-blooded and bloodthirsty? Is it one of her friends, or is someone else responsible for these violent acts—and why is this all happening?
This was an enjoyable book that kept me completely in the dark the entire time, as I had absolutely no idea what was really going on. It’s actually sad how far someone can be pushed by another person’s selfish actions…
Intriguing revelations with a touch of sadness, an idyllic backstory behind shocking events, and interesting characters, each with their own story—these are all elements you’ll find in this book. For me, it is definitely worth 4 stars.
Thank you
It’s exactly what Bridget needs to add some colour to her life, so she doesn’t hesitate for a moment. She’s also looking forward to seeing several of her old friends again.
Had she known what awaited her, she probably would have made a very different decision…
It doesn’t take long before the dream trip turns into a true nightmare.
Who is the person so cold-blooded and bloodthirsty? Is it one of her friends, or is someone else responsible for these violent acts—and why is this all happening?
This was an enjoyable book that kept me completely in the dark the entire time, as I had absolutely no idea what was really going on. It’s actually sad how far someone can be pushed by another person’s selfish actions…
Intriguing revelations with a touch of sadness, an idyllic backstory behind shocking events, and interesting characters, each with their own story—these are all elements you’ll find in this book. For me, it is definitely worth 4 stars.
Thank you
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Friends, foes and fatalities! What a claustrophobic, exhilarating thriller! It hooked me like a fish on a rod and refused to let go.
When Bridget leaves her humdrum life for an all expenses paid luxury yacht reunion in Mauritius with university friends, the idyllic setting quickly sours.
Past wrongs, historical grudges and petty jealousies resurface, turning paradise into a pressure cooker.
As the passenger count dwindles, suspicion veers wildly; everyone has a motive for murder.
This is easily one of the most suffocating books I’ve ever read, in the best way possible.
Filled with revenge and betrayal, the tension escalates with every glorious chapter until a staggering ending that left me absolutely reeling.
Truly excellent!
My thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. This is my own opinion.
When Bridget leaves her humdrum life for an all expenses paid luxury yacht reunion in Mauritius with university friends, the idyllic setting quickly sours.
Past wrongs, historical grudges and petty jealousies resurface, turning paradise into a pressure cooker.
As the passenger count dwindles, suspicion veers wildly; everyone has a motive for murder.
This is easily one of the most suffocating books I’ve ever read, in the best way possible.
Filled with revenge and betrayal, the tension escalates with every glorious chapter until a staggering ending that left me absolutely reeling.
Truly excellent!
My thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. This is my own opinion.
February 2, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this advanced copy.
This is a solid thriller set aboard a swanky rockstars yacht. After losing touch since university the group of friends receive an all expenses paid invitation to Ade’s private yacht.
It appears he wants to reconnect and apologise for letting his fame go to his head, but all is not as it seems as one by one something happens to the friends.
Loved the isolated setting of this book, and the multiple character narratives. The final chapters bring everything together well and I enjoyed the twist.
This is a solid thriller set aboard a swanky rockstars yacht. After losing touch since university the group of friends receive an all expenses paid invitation to Ade’s private yacht.
It appears he wants to reconnect and apologise for letting his fame go to his head, but all is not as it seems as one by one something happens to the friends.
Loved the isolated setting of this book, and the multiple character narratives. The final chapters bring everything together well and I enjoyed the twist.
March 7, 2026
WOW - This book is so different from the others I have read by this author! It moved a little slow in some places, but so worth reading to the end. The characters all have their story and are richly detailed as the book progresses. The ending was a complete surprise, and I never saw it coming.
January 18, 2026
~thank you to storm publishing, NetGalley & the author for giving me an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review~
First of all, I like how the book starts with the ending. It feels very Quentin Tarantino & I love that. Then it jumps right into the story. Every-time a book does that, it makes me actually want to find out how we got there. There were so many characters that it was hard to keep track of certain things at times but there were only 3 POVs and the other 2 didn’t come in until towards the end so it wasn’t as confusing as I thought it would be. I felt like some of the back stories that were shared were so irrelevant which is why I ended up giving 3 stars. But the ending was good, I did enjoy it.
First of all, I like how the book starts with the ending. It feels very Quentin Tarantino & I love that. Then it jumps right into the story. Every-time a book does that, it makes me actually want to find out how we got there. There were so many characters that it was hard to keep track of certain things at times but there were only 3 POVs and the other 2 didn’t come in until towards the end so it wasn’t as confusing as I thought it would be. I felt like some of the back stories that were shared were so irrelevant which is why I ended up giving 3 stars. But the ending was good, I did enjoy it.
January 31, 2026
Thank you #NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!!
Ok to be honest… this book put me into a reading slump. I feel like this is one of the longest times it’s taken me to finish a book in a really long time. Usually I average 1 book every 3 days. I just could not get into this. I felt like what I was reading was nothing and it wasn’t going anywhere. It didn’t have much memorable details, twists or thrills. I don’t recommend this.
Ok to be honest… this book put me into a reading slump. I feel like this is one of the longest times it’s taken me to finish a book in a really long time. Usually I average 1 book every 3 days. I just could not get into this. I felt like what I was reading was nothing and it wasn’t going anywhere. It didn’t have much memorable details, twists or thrills. I don’t recommend this.
January 17, 2026
This was an ARC from Net Galley. Solid read. Perspective changed late in the book to a couple other main characters. Not sure how I felt about that but I can see how it helped wrap up the story.
January 21, 2026
I really wanted to enjoy this novel but it just wasn’t for me. It was too slow placed and the plot didn’t grab me as much as I expected it to. There are a lot of characters but I couldn’t really warm to any of them. I’m sure others will love this book but it wasn’t for me. Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and the author for the chance to review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I found this story too slow to develop. I didn't really engage with the characters and nearly didnt finish the book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I just couldn't take to this book. I picked it up on several occasions thinking it was me or the weather or something but no.......the story was boringly like several other books I've read in the last 12 months. Unexpected invitation to secluded, extravagant venue then the murders start and the reader has to guess/be surprised by the killer and their reasoning. I didn't like the writing style or any of the characters. I haven't read any of the authors other books but I'm afraid The Yacht Party wouldn't encourage me to do so. I finally struggled through to the end but could only give it 2 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC. Let me start by saying that thrillers are not generally my favorite genre. I have a hard time suspending my disbelief when reading thrillers and I often lose patience and start skimming. But I like this author's other books so I decided to give this one a try. I liked the premise, a group of former roommates reuniting on a superyacht after years apart. There was a great sense of place and the atmosphere of luxury and privilege was oozing off of the page. We meet Bridget, her ex-boyfriend Jake, husband and wife Tom and Sasha, and Clara when they are all invited by rockstar and former roommate Ade for a week on a luxury yacht. It has been a decade or more since they all saw one another and there is some secret about why they all stopped rooming together and lost touch that they all keep dancing around. Dawn, the last roommate, is unable to attend so Ryan, a fanboy of Ade's band, joins instead. The story is told in three parts, by three different narrators. I understand why the author chose to write the book this way but I didn't love it. There was repetition in each part that didn't necessarily advance the plot and just slowed down the action. First we hear from Bridget, which was my favorite part. From her we learn about the relationships between the roommates and how they all drifted apart after Clara dropped out and Dawn decided that she didn't want to continue rooming with the group. Bridget and Jake, who dated for a couple of years, broke up for some nebulous reason and she has just sort of drifted since graduation. They all went to an arts school and each had an artistic talent, writing, music, painting, etc. Bridget has not written the novel that she planned to write and is instead in a dead end job that she quits when she gets Ade's invitation. The two haven't spoken since Ade's band made it big and he shunned her friendship for his cooler, more famous friends. Jake started the band with Ade but dropped out after his break up with Bridget led to him drinking too much and getting into drugs. Ade stole the songs that Jake wrote and only paid him a small fee rather than the royalties that he deserves. Jake is sober now and enjoys being a parent to his tween daughter, the result of a one night stand, and has hopes of getting back together with Bridget during the trip. Sasha and Tom are insufferable and clearly their marriage is in trouble. Sasha can't get pregnant and Tom lost his job in finance and has started drinking heavily. Sasha wants to leave Tom for Ade who she had a fling with back in school. Tom is angry at the world and lashes out at everyone. Ryan was an early groupie of the band but he had his life upended when Ade and his lawyers sued him for selling bootleg CDs. Clara was always the quiet one and not much has changed as she is mostly in the background for most of the book. The reason for the invitations was very thin. Supposedly Ade wanted to apologize to each of them for his past wrongs. But with the exception of Jake and Ryan, Ade's sins at first seem to be minor and didn't really warrant an all inclusive vacation on a superyacht. And his apologies didn't seem all that sincere anyway so the whole premise seemed pointless. Since the author readily admits that Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None was his inspiration for this book, it isn't a surprise when the bodies start piling up but it takes a while until we get to the first death. The first death isn't even a murder but an overdose. Mick, an original band member, dies of an overdose on the first night. The book would have been just fine if his character was left out completely since he didn't really add anything to the plot. Clara is the next possible victim when she falls overboard and hits her head. Bridget rescues her and there is some suspicion that she might have been pushed. But once the murders finally start happening in earnest, the pace quickened and I enjoyed trying to figure out what to believe and who to trust. First to be murdered is Ryan, followed by Sasha. Tom is set up to be the red herring and Ade kills him because he thinks that his erratic behavior proves that he is the killer. Jake finds Bridget after she overdosed on pills and booze and Jake himself is killed with a crossbow. Although I guessed the ending, the wrap up was satisfying. Clara was the killer because she and Ade hooked up in school and she got pregnant but he dropped her in favor of his budding music career. But the twist is that it wasn't consensual and although Ade invited everyone to the yacht just so that he could get back with Clara because he thought that they had a real love connection, she only came to get her revenge. I also guessed that Bridget wasn't really dead, just unconscious so I wasn't surprised when she woke up and stumbled around finding dead bodies, finally believing that she can write her novel. I think true fans of thrillers would absolutely love this one but it wasn't my favorite.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ade, a world-famous rockstar, invites his old college roommates on a luxury yacht vacation completely out of nowhere. They haven’t spoken since they left college, and their lives now look nothing like they did back then. While they all jump at the chance to spend time with Ade and experience a glimpse of his over-the-top life, there’s an undercurrent of caution the entire time – why now, and what’s the catch?
Yacht Party is very much a locked-room mystery genre. They’re on a yacht in the middle of the ocean, far from shore, with no signal and no easy way to get help. From the very beginning, you know something has gone horribly wrong. The opening drops you into the aftermath, and you immediately learn that two people survive – but you have no idea who they are or how it all led to this moment. That hook alone kept me turning pages.
The yacht starts out feeling excessive in that aspirational, vacation-envy way – too much space, too much luxury, too much opportunity for old dynamics to resurface. But as the story unfolds and tensions rise, that same space starts to feel restrictive. Rooms feel smaller, privacy disappears, and every conversation feels loaded. By the time the stakes are clear, the yacht feels less like an escape and more like a pressure cooker.
The multiple POVs really help keep you guessing, because you’re only ever seeing what the current character sees – or what they think they see. Each shift in perspective adds a new layer of doubt and sends you back to rework whatever theory you were just feeling confident about. It felt very detective-like as a reader, constantly questioning motives and trying to figure out who was being honest and who was performing.
Character-wise, there’s a lot going on beneath the surface. Ade was especially hard to read – sincere or self-serving, generous or manipulative, maybe a mix of all of it. Tom and Sasha were painful in that slow-burn, real-life way, watching a marriage unravel while both people insist they’re still trying. Ryan felt like the odd piece of the puzzle, someone who didn’t quite belong, which only made his presence more intriguing.
I had a hunch about where the story might go, but I was still surprised by the ending. There’s a twist I didn’t see coming, and when everything finally clicks into place, it’s one of those moments where you realize a few of your mental puzzle pieces were flipped upside down the whole time. I would have happily read an epilogue to see what happened after help arrived, but I also appreciated being left to sit with it and let my brain do its thing.
This earned 4 stars from me for the twists, the unreliable characters, the vivid scenes, the multiple POVs, and the way it kept me turning pages and second-guessing myself. If you enjoy closed-door mysteries, watching relationships crack under pressure, and a psychological edge to your whodunit, this one is a solid pick.
Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Benedict Brown for providing an advanced readers' copy in exchange for my honest review.
Disclaimer – reading and reviews are subjective. This is my take, yours may be different. Agree or disagree freely, just keep it respectful – I always respect the time and work an author puts into writing a book.
Yacht Party is very much a locked-room mystery genre. They’re on a yacht in the middle of the ocean, far from shore, with no signal and no easy way to get help. From the very beginning, you know something has gone horribly wrong. The opening drops you into the aftermath, and you immediately learn that two people survive – but you have no idea who they are or how it all led to this moment. That hook alone kept me turning pages.
The yacht starts out feeling excessive in that aspirational, vacation-envy way – too much space, too much luxury, too much opportunity for old dynamics to resurface. But as the story unfolds and tensions rise, that same space starts to feel restrictive. Rooms feel smaller, privacy disappears, and every conversation feels loaded. By the time the stakes are clear, the yacht feels less like an escape and more like a pressure cooker.
The multiple POVs really help keep you guessing, because you’re only ever seeing what the current character sees – or what they think they see. Each shift in perspective adds a new layer of doubt and sends you back to rework whatever theory you were just feeling confident about. It felt very detective-like as a reader, constantly questioning motives and trying to figure out who was being honest and who was performing.
Character-wise, there’s a lot going on beneath the surface. Ade was especially hard to read – sincere or self-serving, generous or manipulative, maybe a mix of all of it. Tom and Sasha were painful in that slow-burn, real-life way, watching a marriage unravel while both people insist they’re still trying. Ryan felt like the odd piece of the puzzle, someone who didn’t quite belong, which only made his presence more intriguing.
I had a hunch about where the story might go, but I was still surprised by the ending. There’s a twist I didn’t see coming, and when everything finally clicks into place, it’s one of those moments where you realize a few of your mental puzzle pieces were flipped upside down the whole time. I would have happily read an epilogue to see what happened after help arrived, but I also appreciated being left to sit with it and let my brain do its thing.
This earned 4 stars from me for the twists, the unreliable characters, the vivid scenes, the multiple POVs, and the way it kept me turning pages and second-guessing myself. If you enjoy closed-door mysteries, watching relationships crack under pressure, and a psychological edge to your whodunit, this one is a solid pick.
Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Benedict Brown for providing an advanced readers' copy in exchange for my honest review.
Disclaimer – reading and reviews are subjective. This is my take, yours may be different. Agree or disagree freely, just keep it respectful – I always respect the time and work an author puts into writing a book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
★★★★☆
ARC Review: The Yacht Party by Benedict Brown
Some friendships you outgrow. Some you outlive… and The Yacht Party leans fully into that idea with a tense, claustrophobic thriller set far from ordinary life.
Bridget is suffocating—trapped in routine, weighed down by bills, and desperate for escape. So when an old friend invites her to spend a week aboard his luxury superyacht off the coast of Mauritius, she jumps at the chance. Champagne at sunset, turquoise waters, and a reunion with friends who were once inseparable promise the perfect getaway. But the dream shatters quickly. The first death looks like an accident. The second raises doubts. By the third, it’s undeniable: someone on board is hunting them down. As a storm closes in and long-buried secrets rise to the surface, there’s nowhere left to run from the past.
This was my first time reading Benedict Brown, and I really enjoyed his writing style. It’s simple, clean, and easy to follow—something I appreciated given the number of characters. Despite the large cast, each person is given just enough backstory to feel developed and memorable, making them easy to tell apart.
The prologue surprised me. It opens with a character waking up to a bloody scene, already aware that multiple people have died, yet without the level of panic or emotion I expected. At first, I worried this might signal flat or underdeveloped characterisation, but thankfully that wasn’t the case. As the story progresses, the characters feel increasingly human, emotional, and believable under pressure.
I read this in one sitting, completely absorbed by the locked-room feel of the yacht and the quirky, flawed group trapped together at sea. The Mauritius setting was a real standout—I don’t think I’ve ever read a thriller set there before—and it added beautifully to the sense of isolation. Brown’s pacing is sharp, the dialogue crisp, and the atmosphere vivid throughout. I also loved that I stayed completely in the dark the entire time; I genuinely had no idea what was really going on.
That said, while I loved most of the book, the ending didn’t quite work for me. It felt anticlimactic, and I think there were stronger options available. I was also really hoping Ryan would get a happier ending. Still, the journey was gripping, and it’s quietly devastating to see how far someone can be pushed by another person’s selfish actions.
Overall, this was a fast-paced, immersive thriller with a strong setting, engaging characters, and excellent tension—even if the ending didn’t fully land for me.
Thank you to the author, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC.
ARC Review: The Yacht Party by Benedict Brown
Some friendships you outgrow. Some you outlive… and The Yacht Party leans fully into that idea with a tense, claustrophobic thriller set far from ordinary life.
Bridget is suffocating—trapped in routine, weighed down by bills, and desperate for escape. So when an old friend invites her to spend a week aboard his luxury superyacht off the coast of Mauritius, she jumps at the chance. Champagne at sunset, turquoise waters, and a reunion with friends who were once inseparable promise the perfect getaway. But the dream shatters quickly. The first death looks like an accident. The second raises doubts. By the third, it’s undeniable: someone on board is hunting them down. As a storm closes in and long-buried secrets rise to the surface, there’s nowhere left to run from the past.
This was my first time reading Benedict Brown, and I really enjoyed his writing style. It’s simple, clean, and easy to follow—something I appreciated given the number of characters. Despite the large cast, each person is given just enough backstory to feel developed and memorable, making them easy to tell apart.
The prologue surprised me. It opens with a character waking up to a bloody scene, already aware that multiple people have died, yet without the level of panic or emotion I expected. At first, I worried this might signal flat or underdeveloped characterisation, but thankfully that wasn’t the case. As the story progresses, the characters feel increasingly human, emotional, and believable under pressure.
I read this in one sitting, completely absorbed by the locked-room feel of the yacht and the quirky, flawed group trapped together at sea. The Mauritius setting was a real standout—I don’t think I’ve ever read a thriller set there before—and it added beautifully to the sense of isolation. Brown’s pacing is sharp, the dialogue crisp, and the atmosphere vivid throughout. I also loved that I stayed completely in the dark the entire time; I genuinely had no idea what was really going on.
That said, while I loved most of the book, the ending didn’t quite work for me. It felt anticlimactic, and I think there were stronger options available. I was also really hoping Ryan would get a happier ending. Still, the journey was gripping, and it’s quietly devastating to see how far someone can be pushed by another person’s selfish actions.
Overall, this was a fast-paced, immersive thriller with a strong setting, engaging characters, and excellent tension—even if the ending didn’t fully land for me.
Thank you to the author, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC.
February 8, 2026
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for this eARC.
Benedict Brown’s The Yacht Party is one of those mysteries that understands exactly what readers want from a closed‑circle whodunit: glamour with a sour aftertaste, a cast of people who are a little too polished to trust, and a setting that becomes a gilded cage the moment the first secret surfaces. Storm Publishing leans into the escapist appeal, but Brown keeps the story grounded in sharp observation and sly humor.
Brown uses the yacht not as a symbol of wealth but as a pressure cooker. The confined space amplifies every tension—old grudges, new alliances, and the subtle social hierarchies that emerge when people who think they’re untouchable suddenly aren’t. The result is a mystery that feels playful on the surface yet edged with something darker underneath.
One of Brown’s strengths is his ability to sketch characters who are instantly readable yet still capable of surprising you. No one is purely villainous or virtuous; instead, they’re propelled by vanity, insecurity, ambition, or the desire to reinvent themselves. That emotional messiness gives the investigation real texture. Even the most charming guest carries a shadow.
The pacing is brisk without feeling rushed. Brown plants clues with a magician’s timing—visible enough that you feel clever for noticing, but never so obvious that the solution feels predetermined. The final reveal is satisfying not because it shocks, but because it feels earned. Brown respects the reader’s intelligence, and it shows.
There’s a buoyancy to Brown’s prose that keeps the book fun even when the stakes rise. He blends classic mystery structure with a modern sensibility, avoiding the twee tendencies of some contemporary whodunnits. Instead, the novel balances wit with tension, making it ideal for readers who want something clever rather than cutesy.
The Yacht Party is an engaging, stylish mystery that delivers both entertainment and craftsmanship. Brown offers a story that’s easy to sink into but layered enough to reward attention. It’s the kind of book you finish with a smile—not because everything is neat and tidy, but because the journey was so deftly handled.
Benedict Brown’s The Yacht Party is one of those mysteries that understands exactly what readers want from a closed‑circle whodunit: glamour with a sour aftertaste, a cast of people who are a little too polished to trust, and a setting that becomes a gilded cage the moment the first secret surfaces. Storm Publishing leans into the escapist appeal, but Brown keeps the story grounded in sharp observation and sly humor.
Brown uses the yacht not as a symbol of wealth but as a pressure cooker. The confined space amplifies every tension—old grudges, new alliances, and the subtle social hierarchies that emerge when people who think they’re untouchable suddenly aren’t. The result is a mystery that feels playful on the surface yet edged with something darker underneath.
One of Brown’s strengths is his ability to sketch characters who are instantly readable yet still capable of surprising you. No one is purely villainous or virtuous; instead, they’re propelled by vanity, insecurity, ambition, or the desire to reinvent themselves. That emotional messiness gives the investigation real texture. Even the most charming guest carries a shadow.
The pacing is brisk without feeling rushed. Brown plants clues with a magician’s timing—visible enough that you feel clever for noticing, but never so obvious that the solution feels predetermined. The final reveal is satisfying not because it shocks, but because it feels earned. Brown respects the reader’s intelligence, and it shows.
There’s a buoyancy to Brown’s prose that keeps the book fun even when the stakes rise. He blends classic mystery structure with a modern sensibility, avoiding the twee tendencies of some contemporary whodunnits. Instead, the novel balances wit with tension, making it ideal for readers who want something clever rather than cutesy.
The Yacht Party is an engaging, stylish mystery that delivers both entertainment and craftsmanship. Brown offers a story that’s easy to sink into but layered enough to reward attention. It’s the kind of book you finish with a smile—not because everything is neat and tidy, but because the journey was so deftly handled.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Already sent in review listed under Paperback
Some friends just can’t play nicely together…
Bridget has a personal mantra~
I am a drone. I am a worker bee. I am a cog in a machine.
Yes she is a great employee but is she truly appreciated?
When a rock star friend invites her as well as other college classmates for a week on his superyacht, she jumps at the chance.
She asked for time off b ut was denied and then states she will turn in her resignation.
The thought of a reunion with champagne at sunset with old friends graduates from Goldsmith University –
Sasha, Tom, Clara, and Dawn-Won!
But the dream shatters fast.
The first death looks like an accident.
The second, a tragedy.
By the third, she’s sure. Someone on board is hunting them down.
As a storm descends, secrets the once-close friends have been running from begin to surface. And this time, there’s no escape…
As a storm closes in, the secrets they’ve all been running from begin to surface. And this time, there’s no escape…
I have read and loved many Benedict Brown stories- true they were Historical Fiction Mysteries featuring Marius Quin. Lord Edgington and Izzy Palmer all are stars in great series. The back of those stories always included a lot of information – a must read. In fact, a story in its self!
I was delighted this story also included “About This Book’ which he also has at the end of this story. He tells us that yes this is different than his usual stories. Story is a throwback to his first term, uni days and despite the high dead bodies he had fun writing it - In fact, with the permission of ‘real friends’ he used their names in this story.
. I do love Mr. Browns stories and was sure I would love this one But ….I guess my expectations were too high-Not that it wasn’t good but not what I expected. I do wish I had read his comment first as it sure sheds a different light on this story
Want to thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this enjoyable eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 3, 2026.
Some friends just can’t play nicely together…
Bridget has a personal mantra~
I am a drone. I am a worker bee. I am a cog in a machine.
Yes she is a great employee but is she truly appreciated?
When a rock star friend invites her as well as other college classmates for a week on his superyacht, she jumps at the chance.
She asked for time off b ut was denied and then states she will turn in her resignation.
The thought of a reunion with champagne at sunset with old friends graduates from Goldsmith University –
Sasha, Tom, Clara, and Dawn-Won!
But the dream shatters fast.
The first death looks like an accident.
The second, a tragedy.
By the third, she’s sure. Someone on board is hunting them down.
As a storm descends, secrets the once-close friends have been running from begin to surface. And this time, there’s no escape…
As a storm closes in, the secrets they’ve all been running from begin to surface. And this time, there’s no escape…
I have read and loved many Benedict Brown stories- true they were Historical Fiction Mysteries featuring Marius Quin. Lord Edgington and Izzy Palmer all are stars in great series. The back of those stories always included a lot of information – a must read. In fact, a story in its self!
I was delighted this story also included “About This Book’ which he also has at the end of this story. He tells us that yes this is different than his usual stories. Story is a throwback to his first term, uni days and despite the high dead bodies he had fun writing it - In fact, with the permission of ‘real friends’ he used their names in this story.
. I do love Mr. Browns stories and was sure I would love this one But ….I guess my expectations were too high-Not that it wasn’t good but not what I expected. I do wish I had read his comment first as it sure sheds a different light on this story
Want to thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this enjoyable eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 3, 2026.
February 5, 2026
Bridget feels trapped in an endless job that she does not enjoy. One day after work, she receives a letter from overseas that she presumes is a scam, but when she opens the envelope she finds an airline ticket to Mauritius. The ticket is from Adesina Okojie, a famous singer and friend from her university days. When her boss does not want to let her have the time off, she decides to tender her resignation. Ade had invited several of his friends from his university days to join him aboard his yacht. As a precaution, Ade has prohibited any drugs or alcohol on the yacht. When one of the guests, Clara, falls overboard, Bridget jumps into the water to save her. Clara can't remember if she just fell or was pushed. When Mick fails to show up for a meeting, Jake and Bridget go looking for him. They find him in his room, but he is dead from what appears to be a drug overdose. Ade gathers everybody to let them know about Mick's death. Considering their current location, Ade decides to keep going until they reach their next port. Nobody seems to be able to change his mind, as Ade says they are only a day or so from the Maldives.
While Ade is trying to explain why he asked them aboard, a storm is brewing and the smooth sailing becomes a thing of the past. Even with the storm raging, Ade tries to speak with Bridget to explain what went wrong between them. Finally Bridget returns to her room, but she is interrupted by Tom knocking on her door and saying that his wife, Sasha, is missing. They are unable to find Sasha and everybody starts arguing about the wrongs of the past. Bridget barricades herself in her room in an effort to stay safe and away from all the trouble. Upon finding Ryan stabbed to death, they realize there is a killer aboard, but no clue as to who it is.
Was Mick's death murder or suicide? What happened to Sasha? Who killed Ryan? Will others be killed as well? Who is responsible for the deaths? Will the killer be held accountable?
Benedict Brown has a totally different story line with this mystery. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged clear to the end. This would definitely make a great series!
While Ade is trying to explain why he asked them aboard, a storm is brewing and the smooth sailing becomes a thing of the past. Even with the storm raging, Ade tries to speak with Bridget to explain what went wrong between them. Finally Bridget returns to her room, but she is interrupted by Tom knocking on her door and saying that his wife, Sasha, is missing. They are unable to find Sasha and everybody starts arguing about the wrongs of the past. Bridget barricades herself in her room in an effort to stay safe and away from all the trouble. Upon finding Ryan stabbed to death, they realize there is a killer aboard, but no clue as to who it is.
Was Mick's death murder or suicide? What happened to Sasha? Who killed Ryan? Will others be killed as well? Who is responsible for the deaths? Will the killer be held accountable?
Benedict Brown has a totally different story line with this mystery. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged clear to the end. This would definitely make a great series!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Benedict Brown is a prolific writer, an author of many books, mostly mystery and crime series. The Yacht Party is a stand alone novel about a group of university friends who are drawn together years after they went their separate ways. Ade Okojie is a superstar rock musician, and has invited six friends (Tom, Sasha, Jake, Clara, Dawn and Bridget) to join him on his yacht. The invitation comes after an 11 year absence and those invited wonder what has caused Ade to choose this moment to bring them all together.. Once all are on board, he explains it is to make amends for the way he treated them all once fame took over his life. Only one friend - Dawn - has turned down the invitation. A surprise invitee is Ryan, whose connection to Ade is by way of being a super fan, following him to shows all over the world.
I have to say I struggled during the first part of the read. The prologue was great, it held both mystery and danger, and I looked forward to what came next. Unfortunately, I found Bridget's narrative slowed everything up, and details of her rather boring life too detailed. For me it bogged everything down, and could have been covered in less detail. Even after she'd made the trip to Mauritius and boarded the yacht, nothing improved. However, I was determined to carry on, sure the whole thing would eventually get better. When Bridget's account of events still proved lacklustre, I was about to abandon the book, when Jake took over the narrative. What a difference a new voice made. I was back on track and keen to know who on a luxury yacht in the middle of a tropical storm in the Indian Ocean, was the murderer. This second part was gripping, lots of truths surfaced and the author still ensured the perpetrator remained well hidden until the closing chapters.
I was originally planning to give this a 3.5 but have rounded up to 4 as I really enjoyed the second half of the book.
My thanks to Storm, the author and Netgalley for an ARC of The Yacht Party in exchange for an honest review.
I have to say I struggled during the first part of the read. The prologue was great, it held both mystery and danger, and I looked forward to what came next. Unfortunately, I found Bridget's narrative slowed everything up, and details of her rather boring life too detailed. For me it bogged everything down, and could have been covered in less detail. Even after she'd made the trip to Mauritius and boarded the yacht, nothing improved. However, I was determined to carry on, sure the whole thing would eventually get better. When Bridget's account of events still proved lacklustre, I was about to abandon the book, when Jake took over the narrative. What a difference a new voice made. I was back on track and keen to know who on a luxury yacht in the middle of a tropical storm in the Indian Ocean, was the murderer. This second part was gripping, lots of truths surfaced and the author still ensured the perpetrator remained well hidden until the closing chapters.
I was originally planning to give this a 3.5 but have rounded up to 4 as I really enjoyed the second half of the book.
My thanks to Storm, the author and Netgalley for an ARC of The Yacht Party in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
BookSloth has felt like the cog. The pin in the cog. The useless bit of plastic. And BookSloth loved Bridget. In fact, BookSloth wants this Bridget to have her own book! As a reader who needs to feel that instant connection, this mattered.
The Yacht Party is a claustrophobic, character-driven thriller built on one of BookSloth’s favourite setups: a closed circle of people who all know each other, all have history, and all have something to hide. Old university friends gather on a luxury yacht for what should be an indulgent weekend of nostalgia and sunshine. Instead, it becomes a floating pressure cooker of unresolved tensions, half-truths, and emotional debts long overdue. On that very big ship (sorry, boat😁), there is nowhere to go, physically or emotionally, once things begin to unravel.
Benedict Brown understands that the most dangerous thing in any confined space isn’t the murderer. It’s the past. The story’s real tension isn’t just about what happens on board. It’s about what already existed. Old dynamics resurface. Power shifts quietly. Resentments seep through the cracks.
BookSloth did guess the ending. Quite early on.
And still—she smiled. Properly smiled.
Because all the pieces were there, and sometimes the pleasure is in seeing how it all comes together rather than being shocked.
There are moments—particularly in the middle—where a few scenes feel like they circle the same emotional territory rather than pushing the story forward. However, the shift in point of view helps lift the tension again, just when it starts to dip.
Overall, an engaging thriller that understands people as well as it understands closed-circle setups.
Four stars. And BookSloth would absolutely read another thriller from Benedict Brown.
BookSloth has felt like the cog. The pin in the cog. The useless bit of plastic. And BookSloth loved Bridget. In fact, BookSloth wants this Bridget to have her own book! As a reader who needs to feel that instant connection, this mattered.
The Yacht Party is a claustrophobic, character-driven thriller built on one of BookSloth’s favourite setups: a closed circle of people who all know each other, all have history, and all have something to hide. Old university friends gather on a luxury yacht for what should be an indulgent weekend of nostalgia and sunshine. Instead, it becomes a floating pressure cooker of unresolved tensions, half-truths, and emotional debts long overdue. On that very big ship (sorry, boat😁), there is nowhere to go, physically or emotionally, once things begin to unravel.
Benedict Brown understands that the most dangerous thing in any confined space isn’t the murderer. It’s the past. The story’s real tension isn’t just about what happens on board. It’s about what already existed. Old dynamics resurface. Power shifts quietly. Resentments seep through the cracks.
BookSloth did guess the ending. Quite early on.
And still—she smiled. Properly smiled.
Because all the pieces were there, and sometimes the pleasure is in seeing how it all comes together rather than being shocked.
There are moments—particularly in the middle—where a few scenes feel like they circle the same emotional territory rather than pushing the story forward. However, the shift in point of view helps lift the tension again, just when it starts to dip.
Overall, an engaging thriller that understands people as well as it understands closed-circle setups.
Four stars. And BookSloth would absolutely read another thriller from Benedict Brown.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✨ Summary: Life for Bridget is dull. Between her boring job and nonexistent social life, she is a shell of the person she used to be when she dreamed of being a writer. So, when her famous friend from her university days sends her a plane ticket, and invites her to join him and their college friends for a reunion aboard his super yacht, absolutely nothing will stop her from going. Her excitement is short lived when her friends can’t seem to connect like they used to and old hurts resurface. If that isn’t bad enough, someone on board has died and there’s no land in sight. One death and a bad storm aren’t stopping this dream trip— sail on! After the second and third death, the friends realize the party’s over. Will they make it off the yacht alive or will the sea be their final resting place?
✅ What I loved: Brown’s premise for the book was spot on. Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to sail on a super yacht for free? There was the perfect blend of thrills and suspense as the friends tried to stay alive, while the reader is given glimpses into their past histories at the university. Told in 3 parts, the multiple character perspectives forced me to experience the book through different “eyes”. It made the story much more interesting. The reveal was-whew- so good! Brown managed to throw one last curveball my way that I didn’t see coming.
⚠️ What didn’t work as well for me: The pace at times was slow. One of the characters seemed to stand on his soapbox and recite a monologue on more than one occasion. All he needed was a tiny violin to accompany his sob stories. After a while, I was over it and wanted the action to pick up again. The reveal was satisfying, but the end felt abrupt. I wanted a little more after being taken on such a tumultuous ride.
🙌 Perfect for readers who enjoy:
Books about friend groups and reunions
🎬Final Thoughts: Definitely recommend!
Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for this advance digital copy.
✅ What I loved: Brown’s premise for the book was spot on. Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to sail on a super yacht for free? There was the perfect blend of thrills and suspense as the friends tried to stay alive, while the reader is given glimpses into their past histories at the university. Told in 3 parts, the multiple character perspectives forced me to experience the book through different “eyes”. It made the story much more interesting. The reveal was-whew- so good! Brown managed to throw one last curveball my way that I didn’t see coming.
⚠️ What didn’t work as well for me: The pace at times was slow. One of the characters seemed to stand on his soapbox and recite a monologue on more than one occasion. All he needed was a tiny violin to accompany his sob stories. After a while, I was over it and wanted the action to pick up again. The reveal was satisfying, but the end felt abrupt. I wanted a little more after being taken on such a tumultuous ride.
🙌 Perfect for readers who enjoy:
Books about friend groups and reunions
🎬Final Thoughts: Definitely recommend!
Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for this advance digital copy.
February 6, 2026
Wow — I really loved this! The writing stood out straight away, especially in the opening, which genuinely made me smile. It started off as a solid 5-star read for me, but I’m settling on 4.5 stars as the pace slowed a little in the middle as it delved into some of the characters’ backstories. That said, there’s plenty of action, and the stormy setting — the wind, rain, lightning and rolling sea — created such an intense, atmospheric vibe that perfectly suited the story. This would make a fantastic film!
The novel opens from the POV of Bridget Hogg (32), who lives a quiet, mediocre life in a small London flat, stuck in an unremarkable office job. Everything changes when she receives an unexpected invitation from her former university friend, Ade Okojie — now a world-famous rock star — to join him and their old uni friends aboard his superyacht, 'Tanis'. With flight tickets included, Bridget jumps at the chance to escape to Mauritius before sailing on to the Maldives, leaving Britain far behind. It’s been over ten years since they were at uni, leaving together, they lost touch with each other, making the reunion feel both exciting and uneasy.
When strange accidents begin to occur onboard, the fun holiday reunion quickly takes a dark turn, with tensions rising, arguments erupting, and an unsettling mystery surrounding everyone on the yacht. I was completely hooked — I stayed up all night reading because I just couldn’t put it down. I’ll definitely be checking out this author’s backlist!
If you love dark murder mysteries, isolated settings, yachts stranded in the middle of the ocean, violent storms, and buried secrets, I’d absolutely recommend this one. 🌊🔪
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the chance to read and review this fantastic book. #Netgalley
The novel opens from the POV of Bridget Hogg (32), who lives a quiet, mediocre life in a small London flat, stuck in an unremarkable office job. Everything changes when she receives an unexpected invitation from her former university friend, Ade Okojie — now a world-famous rock star — to join him and their old uni friends aboard his superyacht, 'Tanis'. With flight tickets included, Bridget jumps at the chance to escape to Mauritius before sailing on to the Maldives, leaving Britain far behind. It’s been over ten years since they were at uni, leaving together, they lost touch with each other, making the reunion feel both exciting and uneasy.
When strange accidents begin to occur onboard, the fun holiday reunion quickly takes a dark turn, with tensions rising, arguments erupting, and an unsettling mystery surrounding everyone on the yacht. I was completely hooked — I stayed up all night reading because I just couldn’t put it down. I’ll definitely be checking out this author’s backlist!
If you love dark murder mysteries, isolated settings, yachts stranded in the middle of the ocean, violent storms, and buried secrets, I’d absolutely recommend this one. 🌊🔪
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the chance to read and review this fantastic book. #Netgalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Yacht Party is a sleek, sun‑drenched thriller that lures you in with the promise of luxury—turquoise waters, champagne sunsets, and a long‑overdue reunion among old friends—before pulling the rug out from under you in the most deliciously sinister way. Benedict Brown blends glamour and dread with effortless style, crafting a locked‑room mystery that feels both modern and wonderfully classic.
Bridget is a compelling anchor for the story: weary, overwhelmed, and desperate for a break from the grind of everyday life. Her decision to join an old friend on his superyacht feels like a harmless escape—until the cracks begin to show. The group’s shared history simmers beneath every interaction, and Brown captures that uneasy mix of nostalgia, rivalry, and unresolved tension beautifully.
When the first death occurs, it’s easy to believe it might be an accident. By the second, the atmosphere shifts. By the third, the truth becomes impossible to ignore. Someone on board is eliminating them one by one, and the yacht—once a symbol of freedom—becomes a floating trap. As a storm rolls in and the past resurfaces, the tension tightens like a noose.
Brown’s pacing is sharp, the dialogue crisp, and the setting wonderfully vivid. Fans of Lucy Foley, The Woman in Cabin 10, and And Then There Were None will feel right at home in this world of secrets, shifting alliances, and rising paranoia. The twists land cleanly, and the sense of isolation is used to great effect.
A stylish, addictive thriller that proves paradise can be the most dangerous place of all. Perfect for readers who love their mysteries glamorous, claustrophobic, and impossible to put down.
with thanks to Benedict Brown, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Bridget is a compelling anchor for the story: weary, overwhelmed, and desperate for a break from the grind of everyday life. Her decision to join an old friend on his superyacht feels like a harmless escape—until the cracks begin to show. The group’s shared history simmers beneath every interaction, and Brown captures that uneasy mix of nostalgia, rivalry, and unresolved tension beautifully.
When the first death occurs, it’s easy to believe it might be an accident. By the second, the atmosphere shifts. By the third, the truth becomes impossible to ignore. Someone on board is eliminating them one by one, and the yacht—once a symbol of freedom—becomes a floating trap. As a storm rolls in and the past resurfaces, the tension tightens like a noose.
Brown’s pacing is sharp, the dialogue crisp, and the setting wonderfully vivid. Fans of Lucy Foley, The Woman in Cabin 10, and And Then There Were None will feel right at home in this world of secrets, shifting alliances, and rising paranoia. The twists land cleanly, and the sense of isolation is used to great effect.
A stylish, addictive thriller that proves paradise can be the most dangerous place of all. Perfect for readers who love their mysteries glamorous, claustrophobic, and impossible to put down.
with thanks to Benedict Brown, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
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