All Killers Aboard: A deathly funny, unputdownable murder mystery you won’t want to miss in 2026!

by David Fennell

A deathly funny, unputdownable murder mystery filled with delicious twists and devious suspects - perfect for fans of KNIVES OUT!

'Such fun!' ADELE PARKS

'Deliciously fun, twisty, and addictive' WILL DEAN

'Highly original and relentlessly funny!' M. W. CRAVEN

'Thrilling, funny and moving. All Killers Aboard is a triumph!' ELLY GRIFFITHS

A shocking murder.
A ship full of suspects.

On a luxury cruise from Southampton to New York, the annual gathering of the mysterious Midnight Chorus Society is in full swing. Unbeknownst to the rest of the innocent passengers, the deadly convention is made up entirely of serial killers, wannabes and their fans.

Travelling on board is Hollywood royalty Jacqui Dulac, star of the television show Lady Detective, and her latest ghost-writer, Martha Hammond. Yet when Martha witnesses a shocking murder on deck, with a single red button found near the crime scene, the quarrelling duo must put aside their differences to become real-life detectives...

But with a cruise liner full of the world's most notorious serial killers, they both know that when there's been one murder, another is sure to follow. And as a storm rocks the ship, can Martha and Jacqui identify the killer before it's too late?

Your favourite authors loved ALL KILLERS

'A fabulous crime caper. Murderously good!' FIONA CUMMINS

'Dark, dazzling and deliciously twisty' JAMIE WEST

'A dark and witty delight of a book, I never knew serials killers could be so much fun!' SARAH PINBOROUGH

'Fast, furious and very funny. A devilish and devious delight!' ESSIE FOX

'Murder should not be this fun. This book is bloody brilliant' KATHLEEN WHYMAN

'A brilliant and cleverly constructed blend of black humour and bodies' ROBERT RUTHERFORD

Readers are loving ALL KILLERS

"Laugh-out-loud funny, I lapped it up" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Very funny, kept me guessing from start to end" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"The laughs pile-up almost as high as the body count!" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"A high-paced murder mystery" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"An easy five stars, absolutely brilliant from start to finish" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"A fun cosy crime read like no other, fast-paced with lots of twists!" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genres: Fiction, Crime

372 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 30, 2026

Reviews

[Karen]

I love books set on cruise ships and was excited to get this from the library. However it didn't gel with me and I struggled with the pace and the irritating characters (I can quite happily deal with an unlikeable one but these were just annoying). I didn't find it funny. Perhaps it was wrong time wrong book but I'm disappointed that its going back mostly unread.

[Gayle (OutsmartYourShelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Martha Hammond's life is not going well. Her latest book has been rejected by absolutely everyone, she's nearly out of money, & her mother is dating a much younger man, so when her publisher offers her a job as a ghostwriter for TV star, Jackie Dulac, Martha doesn't have much choice. The only condition is that she has to travel with Jackie on a luxury cruise from Southampton to New York & have the book outline ready in 5 days!

A luxury cruise doesn't sound bad so Martha accepts. She gets off on the wrong foot with Jackie & after an argument, witnesses a murder. The ship's security team doesn't seem interested in it being anything than a suicide, so Jackie & Martha team up to solve the case. What they don't know is that there isn't just one killer onboard, the ship is full of them! Dozens of serial killers having their annual meet-up & travelling as the mysterious Midnight Chorus Society.

This was different. I love the concept & it was a lively, entertaining read. Jackie & Martha make a good crime solving duo, but I found it wryly amusing rather than laugh out loud funny. The chapters involving the serial killer carnival were particularly notable. The only issue I had was that I worked out who it was quite easily. Overall though, it was a good read & I'd read a follow-up. If you like darkly amusing murder mysteries give this one a go. It's to die for!

SUMMARY:
Plot: Good - It was a lively, entertaining read although I did work out who it was was quite easily.
Writing Style: Good - Jackie & Martha make a good crime solving duo, but I found it wryly amusing at times rather than laugh out loud funny.
Enjoyment Level: High - Sail the high seas on a cruise with a difference. It’s to die for!

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Orion Publishing Group, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

TWs:blood, masochism, injury detail, murder, sexual content, death of a parent

[Alan Cotterell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Author David Fennell has written a great series in the DI Grace Archer books, so I was intrigued by this new direction, a comedic murder mystery. Would the author be able to pull it off? Unfortunately, in my opinion the answer is NO. I did manage to finish it but it was hard work and I came very close to DNF several times
The humour was not funny, the pacing quite slow, and the multiple POVs made the story feel a lot more drawn out and heavy than it needed to be.

The author should stick to DI Grace Archer.
I gave it 2 stars, but only because I did actually get to the end, as pain full as it was.

[Helen Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, a huge thank you to David Fennell, Orion Fiction and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book ahead of publication. It has been an absolute pleasure.

If the prologue is anything to go by, you know you’re in for something special. Within just a few pages I was grinning (which probably says something slightly concerning considering the subject matter!).

This was my first David Fennell novel, and I was hooked almost immediately. I absolutely loved his writing style. His descriptions are vivid without slowing the pace, his narrative voice is effortlessly engaging, and his humour lands perfectly. It’s one of those books where you find yourself smiling at lines you really shouldn’t be smiling at.

The premise is brilliantly original. A luxury cruise filled with serial killers? It’s wonderfully unsettling, deliciously dark, and endlessly entertaining. The irony of a serial killer questioning who could possibly commit such a terrible crime had me laughing. It’s dark humour done incredibly well.

From the moment the mystery begins, I was completely immersed. This is one of those books where you stop making notes because you’re too busy turning the pages. The pacing is fantastic, the characters are memorable, and there are plenty of twists to keep you guessing. I had my suspicions about the killer, and for once I actually got it right – but that certainly didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the journey.

And let’s talk about the epilogue . I never expected a crime thriller packed with murder, mystery and dark humour to leave me in tears! But it did!

This is a wonderfully entertaining standalone thriller that balances tension, humour and clever storytelling beautifully. It has definitely introduced me to an author I’ll be reading much more from. I already have my eye on David Fennell’s DI Grace Archer series, beginning with The Art of Death.

If you’re looking for an original crime thriller with an unforgettable setting, fantastic characters, sharp humour and a mystery that will keep you racing through the pages, then make sure All Killers Aboard is on your summer reading list.

[Beth Reads Crime · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fennell is best known for his dark DI Grace Archer series, now four books in. I loved The Art of Death, though I still need to catch up with the rest, so I was interested to see how his switch to a more humorous murder mystery would work.

As the title and blurb suggest, All Killers Aboard takes place on a cruise ship with some rather unsavoury guests. Alongside the regular passengers, the ship is hosting the annual convention of the elusive Midnight Chorus Society, a group made up of serial killers. Think London’s Serial Killer: The Exhibition meets Dexter: Resurrection, with a healthy dose of Below Deck and Kate’s “rocket ship” towel origami thrown in.

The main character is Martha, a writer struggling to get her debut novel off the ground. Her mum’s partner keeps suggesting she gets a job at Greggs, while her literary agent persuades her to take on a ghostwriting job for former TV star Jacqui DuLac. So, Martha heads off on the cruise with Jacqui.

Jacqui delivers some of the funniest lines in the book, including telling an old rival: “‘It’s such a shock to see you. I’d heard you were dead.’ Jacqui takes her in. ‘I can see why people thought that.’“

As Martha forges a relationship Jacqui and the pair work on the book, the Midnight Chorus Society convention is in full swing. But with an active killer on board, it soon becomes clear that even the serial killers need to keep their wits about them…

All Killers Aboard is a successful and humorous change of course.

Thank you to FMcM and Orion for the proof copy.

[Karen Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a huge admirer of David Fennell's books since his Sleeper series and consider his Grace Archer books as among the best in dark emotive crime fiction. His novels have always contained some humour, but All Killers Aboard marks a real departure for the author. The risk pays off, however, and this deliciously buoyant mystery is definitely not going to sink.
After a prologue that describes a serial killer's origin story and which delights in its black humour, the main protagonist of All Killers Aboard, Martha Hammond is introduced. Much of the story is told through her first-person narrative and she proves to be an engaging, if rather sparky character to spend the journey with. Martha is an author still waiting for her break and there's a wonderful scene at the start where she looks at photos of more successful writers signed to her agent and inwardly excoriates her one-time friend, Poppy Posey, now a popular romantasy author. By contrast, Martha's latest novel has just received a slew of rejections and her agent, Oliver has a couple of proposals for her. The first – to rewrite her book with added swords and dragons – is immediately rejected but she is tempted by the pay packet promised by the second offer and with time against her, agrees to accompany Hollywood actress and former star of the television show, The Lady Detective, on the Jewel of the Atlantic's final voyage from Southampton to New York. Jacqui wants to write a crime novel but as Oliver explains, she can't actually write for toffee and so Martha accepts a position as her ghostwriter. Unfortunately, Jacqui is expecting an assistant and sparks fly between them at first.
David Fennell always excels at writing flawed yet sympathetic characters and he is in his element here. The relationship that gradually develops between Martha and Jacqui is genuinely touching in spite of their sniping and as their vulnerabilities are revealed alongside their respective past losses, it becomes impossible not to care about them both. Jacqui’s star may have waned a little since her leading lady days but she is still adored by her fans and so naturally monstrously demanding at times. There is another, more generous side to her though as David Fennell reminds us that even the biggest stars aren’t immune to tragedy. Of course, they aren't the only passengers on board the cruise ship and while it might be reasonable to expect one or two quirkier guests, neither Martha nor Jacqui could guess that several of their fellow passengers are members of the Midnight Chorus Society; a convention of serial killers and their fans.
With renowned murderers such as The Undertaker, The Reverend and The Undertaker on board, the scene could have been set for a bloodbath. Rather ironically, however, being among these killers during one of their conventions is usually the safest place to be. For twenty five years, the rule, 'no murders during conference' has been sacred. All that changes though when Martha witnesses a murder and then becomes aware that the death is being covered up. As a crime writer she is naturally intrigued but she has a more personal reason to want to hunt down the killer too.
These are people who have avoided capture for years but now they have become the target and the ensuing mayhem and paranoia as they attempt to continue with their convention, while trying to figure out who among them is the traitor is darkly hilarious yet still gripping stuff. As the body count rises and it becomes chillingly clear that Martha may be out of her depth, All Killers Aboard crackles with danger and the climax is thrillingly tense.
Throw in an amateur dramatic production, the fabulously caustic altercations between Jacqui and ship owner, Cilla, a few gruesome conference highlights and a particularly brilliant, farcical scene as the ageing killers attempt to dispose of a body, and the resulting chaos makes for a frantically funny read throughout. It is also written with all the empathy and heart I have come to expect from David Fennell and the poignant scenes are a moving juxtaposition to the black humour and knife-edge suspense. The cleverly constructed plot and brilliant characterisation is complemented throughout by the rich, believable sense of place. This locked room mystery excels because, in spite of its outrageous premise, David Fennell's attention to the little details that bring his story to life, allows us to accept every madcap development that takes place here. Superbly funny yet laced with some fiendishly affecting gut punches of emotion and packed with dramatic twists, All Killers Aboard is an exhilarating voyage from start to finish and one I very highly recommend.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. A wonderful blend of murder mystery and comedy with a truly killer literary theme. TV personalities, ghost writers and a serial killer convention all brought together for a transatlantic crossing. This all definitely had the potential for a trip more deadly than Titanic, but certainly one that is a heck of a lot more fun. Martha and Jacqueline might not make the most obvious of bedfellow when it comes to the art of amateur detecting, but as characters go they are two personalities who completely got my attention right from the off.

This is a book that is not to be taken too seriously - you only have to read some of the darkly witty descriptions of the depraved talents of those in the Midnight Chorus Society to realise that, but behind those comedic moments - and there are many - is the heart of a true mystery and with so many killers in one place, no shortage of suspects. The truth is, that even the killers themselves do not know who to suspect, and with each one of David Fennell’s brilliant characters infused with so much deception and skilful misdirection - how could they be a killer at large without it? - you never really know who you can trust until, one by one, they find themselves picked off. But looking for a specific killer in a room of killers is kind of like looking for a specific needle in a stack of needles. But a lot more fun.

I genuinely had a smile on my face for most of this book. It’s hard not to feel the smallest amount of sympathy for the victims, an odd thing to say given their personal hobbies, but strangely I found myself invested in their fates, if only to know what method of dispatch the killer might employ this time. And I was drawn right into the story, wanting to see Jacqui and Martha succeed in their quest, whilst also enjoying the sniping turned to banter that flowed between the two. Neither is a perfect character, both are, in fact, perfectly flawed, but they are utterly likeable and after a tricky start, a brilliant match.

There are a few moments of emotion in this book, mostly linked to Martha who’s father was a victim to one specific killer in this story, and that also leads to heightened tension and increasing pace at the perfect moments in the story. And the unintended conflict that builds between the pair and the Society board adds that layer of drama as they set about trying to silence the pair before they can ‘out’ the societies identity. The closing chapters are high stakes, high surprise, and absolutely high impact, hitting exactly the right notes. 

The setting is perfect, the ultimate in locked room (well isolated ship stuck mid Atlantic) murders. And the way the author captures life on board a cruise ship made me chuckle, recognisable to any seasoned cruise passenger I am sure, from the stuffing down too much food at the buffet, to taking one too many drinks at the bar, and the swell of emotion driven by the recognition of the fated journey of the Titanic across the Atlantic was well done, a moment of calm on a sea of troubles, although not without the odd not to the books classic humour.

If you love a who/why-dunnit with suspect characters, multiple possibilities, a who lot of mystery and a perfect vein of humour too, pick this one up, I can’t say if it would make you more or less likely to want to try a cruise in the near future, but whichever why you fall with your travel plans, you are guaranteed to be 100% entertained by this book. Definitely recommended.

[Andy Wormald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following on from the highly acclaimed Grace Archer series, here we have a new departure prepare to set sail with Martha Hammond and Jacqui Dulac. This is a read where the quality and depth to the storytelling shine, from the opening pages I was totally absorbed. Someone has broken the unbrakeable rule, but why

I absolutely loved this book and devoured it in two sitting, it felt fresh and uniquley original, the characters were engaging and the storytelling crisp all injected with just the right amount of humour. 100% entertainment and that is why I read.

As a read there is a touch of the golden age mainly brought about by the amateur sleuths but mainly the setting, a cruise ship just lends itself to that regal feeling and to a degree a classic locked room mystery, however, this is very much a novel set in the modern day.

The plotting is quite ingenious and makes for a wide suspect pool, cleverly the author is able to inject plenty of Red Herrings as well as twists and turns in the narrative so as to keep you guessing. There is a darkness to the plot, however, this is not a dark read far from it.

David Fennell always writes protagonists which stand out on the page always full of heart and emotion, you get a real feel for who they are. Jacqui is a real diva and she knows it and knows how to play a crowd, Martha is the complete opposite a down on their luck writer in need of a cash injection, what they both share is a passion for what they each believe in.

The interplay between Martha and Jacqui was spot on with the Hollwood star initially setting to show that she was in charge, however, in Martha she has somewhat met her match in someone who is not prepared to be pushed around, through out the book you can see a sea change between the pair and the mutual respect they have for each other. The Midnight Chorus delegates are superbly well drawn and written, I found myself there picturing this conference taking place with it’s fantastic sounding panels, you cam imagine the conversations which must take place.

This is a read full of atmosphere, the writing paints a vivid picture of a life on the ocean waves, there is also plenty of emotion thrown in to the characters lives.

I particularly enjoyed the way that the chapters are written from differing characters view points, interconnecting the plot in a way that they can take the story into different directions.

The denouement and reveal had me totally blindsided, one I hadn’t even thought of and that is all credit to the author and the way he creates this air of mystery and intrigue into his plots. For me this was a much a why done it as a who done it.

The writing for me evoked that feeling of the traditional golden age novel, it takes you back, but then to bring that into the modern day shows a writer at the top of their game with that ability to combine that classic feel but make it all about the here and now.

A delight to read from first to last, this is the kind of read where the pages turn themselves, it wonderfully paced, packed with plenty of suspense and tension with a myriad of surprises thrown in.

This will easliy be one of my top reads of the year, a book I cannot recommend highly enough. For me David Fennell is one of todays top crime writers and All Killers Aboard shows why

[Andy – And The Plot Thickens · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

There had been one golden rule for every Midnight Chorus Society convention for the past twenty-five years: NO MÛRDERS DURING CONFERENCE. Until now, that rule had been sacred. If she were truly honest with herself, then Wilma would admit she was surprised it had not happened sooner, especially with a society whose members were made up of serial kïllers and their appreciators.

Martha Hammond is on a cruise from Southampton to New York, travelling with former Hollywood star, Jackie Dulac, whose memoir Martha is ghostwriting. When Martha becomes a witness to a mürder on board, she and Jackie decide to play detective, seeing as the cruise company is insisting it was an accident. During her search for clues, Martha hears about a secretive conference happening on board – what is the Midnight Chorus Society? Unbeknownst to her and the other passengers, it's a convention of serial kïllers, and the mürder victim was one of their own. That means there are dozens of suspects.

This thriller is fun, entertaining, and a fast-paced read. I loved the dark, creative take of this book, in which the reader has access to the viewpoints of some of the mürderers attending the conference. Jackie is annoying but also fabulous, while Martha is dealing with her own demons, triggered by her witnessing of the mürder.

Is it deathly funny, though? Unfortunately, I wouldn't go quite that far. It's certainly enjoyable, but I didn't exactly have laugh-out-loud moments. There are also a few loose threads – one character is heavily involved in the plot (I won't say who because of spoilers) – only for the character to disappear with a weak explanation as to what happened to them.

And the reveal/twist? It had very little impact on me, not because I predicted the kïller's identity, but because it felt like the author just plucked out a random character and made them the perpetrator, without leaving some clues or enough backstory/context for it to make a splash and be believable.

Would I recommend this? Yes – it's amusing, and there is enough intrigue to sustain some tension in the plot. The characters are fun, though they lack a bit of complexity.

Thanks to Orion Books UK for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is something really quite different from David Fennell. I am a huge fan of his DI Grace Archer series. They are some of my favourite crime novels but they are dark, gritty and quite violent. This new offering is cosier, funnier but still excellent.

That premise though! A transatlantic cruise filled with members of a secret society for serial killers sounds crazily outrageous, and David Fennell makes this into a murder mystery that is packed with humour, surprises and an unforgettable cast of characters.
Martha Hammond thinks she is going on a working trip, ghostwriting for Hollywood actress Jacqui Dulac, the glamorous star of the television series Lady Detective. Their relationship is rocky and their constant bickering provides plenty of entertaining moments from the very beginning. When Martha witnesses a shocking death on deck, she quickly realises that this is no ordinary cruise. With a ship full of people who know far more about murder than they ever should, she and Jacqui find themselves trying to uncover the truth.

The setting is perfect. A cruise ship already has that closed up feel, but adding a violent storm and a passenger list full of suspicious characters really creates an atmosphere where nobody can be trusted.

I really enjoyed the variety of characters. There are so many larger than life personalities, each bringing something different to the story, and discovering how they fit into the bigger picture is great fun. It would have been easy for such a large cast to become a bit confusing, but each character has their own place and helps keep the plot moving at a steady pace.

There is a real sense of wit running throughout the novel. The humour feels natural, and often pops up just when it is needed most. The humour doesn't take away the suspense at all, it works really well.

This is an entertaining, cleverly plotted mystery with an original idea that is done really well. It is dramatic, funny and full of memorable moments. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read from beginning to end. I would happily join Martha and Jacqui for another adventure! Recommended.

[Acantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this, no love it. The blurb offered so much deliciousness and I was ready.

I had a little wobble at the opening scene and what was clearly meant to be an amusing murder but just felt kind of pathetic, but okay, that could be the character, I could move past it.

I knew I was going to be in for a rough time when the main character, a writer, got all snobby snotty about Romantasy. Look, its not for everyone and if the character had just decided she didn't like fantasy as a genre for her own personal tastes, that would have been fine. But Martha made it very clear that she doesn't like it because she doesn't consider it 'real' writing, or worthy novels. And I don't like snobs, or what felt like the author talking through the character. And then all the girl on girl hate, like really.

So that was an issue.

Then everyone in the book was just plain awful, from Martha herself, to her family, her agent, the people on the boat, Jackie of of course. It's hard to vibe with a book when you cannot connect or care about anyone. Sometimes an unlikeable main character gives you joy but here I found myself actively willing the murderers to come along and put us all out of our misery.

There were some moments that I enjoyed, Jackie had some brilliant snarky one liners when she was sparring with old 'friends' and those moments pushed it up to a two, as well as Martha's clear enjoyment for the good things in life.

This was billed as funny and I guess the humour just wasn't for me because while I enjoyed the cutting remarks, I didn't find them or anything else in this book amusing.

The pacing was at a snail's pace, which meant it felt as if I was spending twice as long with these characters that I couldn't stand.

This is going to appeal to a lot of people I'm sure, but I just wasn't one of them.

~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~

[Jonnie M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aspiring author Martha is struggling with rejection after no one wants to publish her debut thriller, when her literary agent persuades her to take on a ghostwriting job for glamorous TV diva Jacqui DuLac. The only catch: she must accompany Jacqui on an all-expenses-paid luxury cruise from Southampton to New York, with the book outline ready by the time they arrive.

This particular cruise is also playing host to the secretive Midnight Chorus Society of serial killers and its 25th anniversary convention. Their only rule is that there are no murders during the event, so when one of their number winds up dead, the society’s board begins hunting for a killer amongst killers. Martha witnesses the murder and turns amateur sleuth herself, putting her firmly in the society’s crosshairs.

Although I worked out the twists fairly easily, the joy of this fun read comes from its brilliant concept. A conference where serial killers can network – complete with talks on the pros and cons of woodchippers versus acid baths, the craftsmanship of skinning, and how to be a cannibal as a vegan – is a wonderfully silly and entertaining idea, even if the book plays much of it surprisingly straight.

I wasn’t a huge fan of Martha as a narrator, particularly her slightly ‘woke warrior’ tendencies during her early clashes with Jacqui. Jacqui herself, however, and her wonderfully catty remarks were a lot of fun, while I also enjoyed the politics, rivalries and corporate-esque drama between the main serial killers.

All in all, All Killers Aboard is a lively and entertaining read, packed with snappy dialogue, dark humour and a lot of booze. It’s a cruise to die for.

[Leanne Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the DI Grace Archer book series by this author and they are a fantastic, gritty, gruesome crime series. When I saw that this was a comedy crime book I was unsure what to expect so was a little apprehensive. After finishing this book I can say with certainty this was equally as good, if not better. I loved it and was hooked from the first chapter.

Was it unrealistic, yes it was, well I would hope it was. Was it a high paced page turner, yes most definitely. The characters were so well written with so much thought going into both the characters and the storyline. We have Martha a ghost writer for Jacquie who go on a cruise together for inspiration for Jacquie's next project. Martha soon realises the other guests are not quite as they seem. I dont want to say anymore about the storyline to prevent any spoilers. I shall leave the reader to discover the other passengers back story's and quirks.

I loved the style of writing, each chapter focusing on a particular character which just kept me addicted. Yes I liked the main character Martha, however my personal favourite was Jacquie. She was everything I love about a showbiz diva and more. The book is described as a funny murder mystery and that is exactly what it is. There is lots of humour but don't confuse this as a cosy light hearted crime mystery, there are plenty of gruesome details and murders to make it the perfect combination of light and dark.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an avid cruiser, with many transatlantic voyages under my collar, I could not pass up the opportunity to read this book. I often don’t get humour in books but this rather dark sarcastic humour did have me breaking a smile more than once. Martha Hammond has taken a job as ghostwriter for Jackie Dulac, a fading Hollywood actress, who wants to write a crime novel. They meet on board The Jewel of the Atlantic not knowing that amongst their fellow passengers is a group of serial killers and their fans, the Midnight Chorus Society.

Briefly, not long after sailing a passenger is pushed to his death. Martha witnesses the murder and when no one believes her, and in an attempt to uncover the killer, Martha and Jackie start working together as amateur sleuths. Not surprisingly, with so many serial killers and wannabes on board, this isn’t the last death on the ship.

Okay so from page one you need to completely suspend your beliefs, and why shouldn’t you this is fiction! This is most definitely a locked room mystery, although the number of potential suspects is enough to populate a small village! Honestly this book is so much fun, despite its darker moments, and there are a few of those. The descriptions of life on board are perfect and there is enough tension in the mystery to keep you on the edge of your seat. A very entertaining read and next cruise I will be watching my fellow passengers much more closely. Loved it.

[Jen James · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Killers Aboard is quite the departure for David Fennell. The author’s earlier books have been intense crime reads, whereas this has more of a lighter approach.

Martha is an aspiring author. Sadly, the publishers who read her manuscript, are not as enthusiastic about it as she is. Her agent, Oliver, throws her somewhat of a last ditch lifeline. An opportunity to ghostwrite for a “celeb” whose fame is on the wane. Initially, she is appalled by the prospect, but the reality of a depleted bank balance brings her around quite quickly.

Martha’s assignment takes her on board a luxury transatlantic cruise. A mysterious society, known as The Midnight Chorus, are also setting sail. This is where the murderous mayhem begins.

The narrator, Holly Hales, does a good job of giving distinct voices to the large cast on the ship.

The book has recommendations from Elly Griffiths, Will Dean and Mike Craven, who are a few of my favourite authors. They say how much fun it is, and I agree. It is a very tongue in cheek, a humorous take on a locked room whodunnit.

If you are looking for a light hearted crime read, with a truly eclectic cast, then All Killers Aboard could well be the book for you.

[Cally · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars - quirky, funny and mysterious.

Martha takes a job as a ghost writer for a movie star who wants to write a book, which involves them boarding a cruise ship. Little do they or the other passengers know, the Midnight Chorus Society made up of serial killers are also aboard, who despite saving a no murders rule find one of their members has been pushed to his death one night. Martha witnesses this and wants to find out who the killer is.
I enjoyed having different character perspective chapters, it gave more of an insight into the plot and what was happening in the book. The idea of being trapped on a cruise ship with a group of serial killers trying to find out who the murder was gave it an ironic and fun twist. It definitely had darker moments which empathised the thriller murder mystery aspect of the book and I really enjoyed this. I actually read this in one go because I found it super easy to fly through!
Fast paced, a comedy twist and it kept me guessing throughout who the murderer was. If you are a thriller fan then this book should be on your TBR.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been enjoying the author's DI Grace Archer series so I jumped at the chance at reading this via Netgalley.
This book is a little different to the previously mentioned series, I still enjoyed every minute I was reading. The plot of a would be writer employed as a ghostwriter/assistant to a tv detective drama star to help them relaunch their career on a transatlantic cruise alongside a secret serial killer society was a clever one. The writing was superb, I was totally gripped, waiting to see what Martha would discover next. The characters were well drawn and really fleshed out so I could really imagine the story play out (could see this adaptated for tv).
I wouldn't say this was cozy crime, it was a little too dark, even with the humour in it, I could describe it as Cozy Crime's older, weirder cousin maybe. So it would be ideal for those of us who enjoy darker crime thrillers but didn't want to go "full cozy" or maybe fans of cozy who wanted to dip their toe in the darker side of the genre.
I've been recommending this at my book clubs before I was even half way through that is how much I have been enjoying it.
With thanks to the author & Netgalley for the opportunity.

[Faye Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Killers Aboard is a dark comedy murder mystery which sees aspiring author Martha investigating a series of murders on board a cruiseship. Martha has just been hired as the ghostwriter for a famous actress, Jacqui, who has been struggling to write a book based on her famous TV detective character from the 90s. It's a fast paced story and has a large suspect list full of serial killers. I was thrilled to work out who the murderer was!

From the blurb, I thought that Martha and Jacqui would be more of a double act throughout the book, but Jacqui doesn't really get very involved in the investigation. It's definitely Martha that takes the lead. I would have loved to see more of these two women working together, especially making more use out of Jacqui's experience as a TV detective.

Overall, it was a fun and lighthearted murder mystery, even with a ship full of serial killers getting up to no good!

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley, but this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of David Fennel books with his creepy, twisted thrillers so I when I heard he written a cosy crime mystery I didn’t know what to expect but I needn’t have worried this is great light-hearted read.
Martha gets a job as a ghostwriter for the actress Jacqui Dulac an American celebrity who did a stint on a TV show many years ago, she wants to write a crime novel based on The Tv series she used to act on. But apparently, she can’t write for Toffee. But first she needs to accompany her on the cruise ship The Jewel of the Atlantic cruise ship for a meet and greet.
When she is on board, she start investigating murders that happened on board as no one else will believe her. When she discovers some of the suspects who belong to the Midnight Chorus society, are a society for serial killers!
This is a fun cozy crime read like no other. It’s fast paced lots of twists and lots of humour. I thoroughly enjoyed this and its was unputdownable that read until the small hours of the morning. 5 stars from me.

[Angi Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thoughts
What a fantastic read. I knew that even though it wasn’t the pitch dark of David Fennell’s D.I Grace Archer series and the genre was what was being hailed as cosy with his typical dark, dry humour it would definitely not disappoint.
It hasn’t. It’s got some wonderfully touching moments, and the early scenes with Martha and Jacqui are so funny. This is one of those books that the more you read, the more you want. Which means I seriously hope that there are more to come!
At times the humour is almost pitch dark, and it manages to remain touching and still have you rooting for the two unlikely heroines. Did I love every second? Did I desperately want just a few more pages? Absolutely without a doubt.
David Fennell has created his own genre here. I’m calling it dark suspense for now. And I think it’s going to have me chuckling for a few days, while wondering if it’s safe to go on a cruise! It’s a sure fire hit and my book of the month if not the season.

[Vicuña · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m new to this author but having travelled the North Atlantic by sea, I thought the premise was interesting. Life on board ship is curiously detached from reality when you’re at sea for around a week and this book echoed that setting. It’s madness at sea; a convention of serial killers? Amateur sleuths solving a murder mystery. You have to suspend belief more than once and this is is essentially a locked room mystery with a cast of mainly off the wall characters. That said, they’re entertaining and the story is well narrated throughout with a range of voices adding to the entertainment. It’s not particularly dark and not laugh out loud funny, but there are numerous moments of black humour which add to the interest. As a one off, I enjoyed this light hearted diversion from my usual reading and listened to it over a couple of nights. A generous 4* as it’s well written and it kept me engaged as something light and different.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Martha, a ghost writer, gets a new job and has to join her employer on a luxury cruise ship. Also on this ship is the Midnight chorus Society, who are at full swing. Unknown to others, the group is made up entirely of serial killers and their fans. But when Martha witnesses a murder she must turn detective. With ship full of serial killers will she be able to narrow it down?

The concept for this one really piqued my interest, as it sounded like it would be a fun, mysterious read, with a unique storyline. This ended up an intriguing read, with the story told in multiple different voices to keep it interesting, however I found I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had hoped I would from the premise. I feel the story was overly slow, so didn’t really keep me engaged and the characters weren’t deep enough for me to connect to. Even though there was dark humour, which I liked, the overall story felt too cosy for me personally.

Although not fully for me, I still appreciate the great idea behind this story and can see those who like interesting, quirky plots, with multiple characters and a lighthearted vibe (but still with a little violence) enjoying this one. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

[Kath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well... wasn't this all things bonkers and wonderful!
A convention for serial killers (and their fans) on a cruise ship. What could possibly go wrong... Well... plenty, or it'll be a pretty pants book... But I get ahead of myself. We actually start with the creation of a serial killer - one who names themself button face.
We then switch to follow Martha Hammond, aspiring author, who is represented by Oliver Burgess from Burgess & Black and who he has suggested could be the ideal ghostwriter for Hollywood actor Jackie DuLac and has booked her on the same cruise so they can work together en route.
And then, not long after departure, the inevitable happens and there's a death. The ship's crew try and cover it up as an accident but Martha isn't convinced, as she herself witnessed the incident along with a fellow passenger who has been "persuaded" to change her mind about what she saw, and so she starts her own investigation.
It's all convoluted and interconnected, and a bit bonkers, so hang onto your hat, you're in for a wild ride... Especially as we learn more about Martha's past and how that also connects. But you'll get no spoilers from me...
I did enjoy my time with this book. I did roll my eyes on several occasions, but I also did chuckle quite a lot too. It was, within the story, well plotted and, although on occasion, a bit all over the place - which actually matched the narrative - it did all come good at the end. I especially loved the "presentations" given by the killers at the convention, detailing their journeys!
I do wonder if we will hear from the duo in future books. It would be a shame if not as I do feel they have more to give as characters.
This is a new author to me but, on the back of what I read here, I already have his Grace Archer series locked and loaded (on the reserve list from my library) as I did gel well with both his writing style and sense of humour.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

[Missymo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
Oh my goodness, where do I start.
What attracted me first to this book was the fact that I’d just returned from my first ever cruise and thought I could relate to it! 🤣
The Midnight Chorus Society are holding their 25th silver anniversary on board the Jewel of the Atlantic. The story is of what follows over the next five days.
All is not what it seems and writer Martha and TV super sleuth Jacqui need to get to the bottom of it before their time is next.
372 pages full of pop culture references, twists and turns.
Laughs, gasps, anxiety, excitement and yes tears. Titanic and the Tunnel got to me.
This book has it all!
A bloomin good read and hard to put down.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Martha is offered a last chance by her agent Oliver, ghost writer for a famous actress, the draft has to be completed by the time the cruise liner docks in New York.
Jacqueline treats her like her assistant, fires her, but as the boat has sailed they are stuck together. A strange convention is also on the ship, a Choral Society, who keep themselves to themselves down on deck 2. Then a man is killed by someone in a balaclava with buttons for eyes and mouth, the exact same as the person who murdered Martha’s father 13 years before.
Martha is determined to find out who it is and bring them to justice.
I really enjoyed this book, plenty of twists and turns.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc. 4.5⭐️

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, darkly funny take on the classic locked-room mystery. Setting the story aboard a luxury cruise already makes for a great backdrop, but filling it with serial killers, aspiring killers and true crime obsessives takes the premise to another level.

The mystery kept me intrigued from the start and I loved trying to work out who was behind it all. There were plenty of twists, a colourful cast of characters and just the right balance of humour and suspense. Martha and Jacqui made an entertaining investigative duo, especially as they're forced to work together despite their differences.

If you're looking for a crime novel that doesn't take itself too seriously while still delivering an entertaining mystery, this is well worth picking up.

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surely, the last thing anyone expects to encounter on a luxury cruise is a secret serial killers' convention? But when an unexpected ghost-writing assignment means that Martha finds herself on a lavish cruise ship, that is precisely the situation that she unknowingly finds herself in. And when bodies start piling up - with serial killers dropping like flies - things really hit the fan...

This story has a unique premise and a lot of humour, but is unnecessarily long - and that adversely impacts the reading experience. It gets 3.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Kathleen Whyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder really shouldn’t be this much fun.

A serial killers’ convention set on a cruise ship is such a genius idea. I mean, what could go wrong?!

Full of the twists and turns you’d expect from David Fennell, but with an added ingredient – humour, and lots of it!

I was equal parts laughing, intrigued, chilled and enthralled by this hilarious page-turner.

The plot’s wickedly fun and I was fully invested in the characters. Even the ones it wasn’t safe to be!

Perfect summer read. This book is bl00dy (pun intended) brilliant. Can’t wait for more!

[Justin Berry · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars but only just
I can’t say I found the book particularly funny, and I think I had the feeling throughout that it had all been done before, and to that end felt a little bit tired.
Effectively this is a sort of locked room mystery, but for me the pacing was a bit off, and by the end I was glad to depart from this saga.
I’m not sure why no hardback version appears on here so I’ve had to put this under the kindle one.

[Sam Seaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very funny light hearted murder mystery. This was a cozy and easy to read book that kept me guessing from start to finish. Given the usual style of these type of reads I was shocked at quite how dark this book became, not in a bad way, it added to the excitement and overall enjoyment. Highly recommended.