Death on the Danube

by D.J. Maughan

A dream vacation. A perfect anniversary. A killer hiding in plain sight.

When Derek and Brianna Murphy set off on a romantic river cruise from Passau to Budapest to celebrate twenty-five years of marriage, they expect historic cities, candlelit dinners, and a much-needed reconnection. What they don’t expect is the instant bond they form with two other couples—strangers who, over shared excursions and late-night conversations, begin to feel like lifelong friends.

But friendships forged on calm waters can shatter in dark depths.

On the final morning in Budapest, the body of a passenger is discovered drifting in the Danube—an apparent accident that quickly proves anything but. When Peter Andrassy, former NYPD detective turned investigator for the Hungarian National Police arrives, he is tasked to untangle a web of secrets that followed the tourists ashore.

Can Peter find the killer and bring them to justice? Or will he become a victim himself?

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 19, 2026

Reviews

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m sure these travelers got way more than they bargained for when they went on this cruise! Their getaway definitely turned into a full crime thriller & investigation! I love seeing Peter resurfacing throughout these different stories! He’s my favorite character in D.J. Maughan’s books.

The dual points of view, was a nice touch! Hearing the story told in first person from all the key people added value to the story. Overall another great read and this author is moving up on the favs list! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Brooke Sands · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to @djmaughanauthor for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Death on the Danube is a fast-paced thriller set on a luxury river cruise that quickly turns deadly when a passenger is found dead. What initially appears to be a tragic accident is soon revealed to be murder. Enter Peter Andrassy, former NYPD detective now working with Hungarian police, who must untangle a web of secrets among the passengers to find the killer.

This was my third ARC from DJ Maughan, and I’ve loved them all, and this was no exception. The story moves quickly and kept me guessing the whole time. Maughan’s writing is steady and twisty, constantly making you question every interaction without relying on random, out-of-nowhere twists. It’s the kind of mystery that keeps you turning pages while still feeling grounded and believable.

Perfect for anyone who loves a vacation-gone-wrong mystery with a beautiful setting and plenty of suspicious characters. Check it out when it is released on March 19th. Such a fun read! 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Tanya Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The events of Death oh the Danube are following the 9-1-1 book which I strongly suggest to read beforehand!

The story starts off strong with a death in the Danube in Budapest. Of course, it’s a who dun it type of book but there’s no lack of action!

There’s 3 couples on a river cruise from Germany to Hungary that becomes friends through the vacation. But at the end of the cruise, one of them was found floating in the Danube.

I love the historical facts of the different places they visited and love how we got a special view of the couples lives. Who is light hearted. Who hates who. Who plans what. Etc.

To help the reader, there’s a list of the couples at the start of the book however the chapters are well divided and easy to follow the different couples. There’s multiple different POV (one for each of the person of the couple so mostly 6). There’s different parts of the book like when Peter Andrassy comes in play to investigate the murder.

Also, just so you’re aware, Jacob really loves Diet Coke.

So, who is the person who was found dead? And who is responsible?

It was a fast-paced book and any of the Peter’s series is always amazing! I highly suggest!

Thank you to the author, D.J., for providing an ARC copy in exchange of my honest review.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death on the Danube
By: D.J Maughan
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is my fourth book by DJ Maughan. And I believe the 3rd that I’ve been able to read as an ARC reader. I really enjoy his books and style of writing. He has this way of pulling you in and your keep telling yourself just one more chapter And the next thing you know its been 4 hours later and you finished the book.

Death on the Danube is a fast paced murder mystery/thriller. This book is set in on a river cruise to Budapest which is supposed to be a fun and relaxing week, but it takes a turn…

Derek and Brianna Murphy set sail on a river cruise to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. They quickly become friends with two other couples, but they will quickly find out that this trip is full of secrets, lies and Murder!

This is a Peter Andrassy book, it does take a while for him to make an appearance in this book however I do not think that is an issue. You will be so pulled into the story and invested into the characters and the need to know what happens next. But hold on to you hats cause man o man the twists and turns in this book!

I highly recommend reading this book.

[Heather Rae Brandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so unpredictable!! It starts out with several couples on a cruise. They become good friends and slowly but surely a secret comes out that gets the group on high alert! There are a good mix of characters with different back stories. Their POV is told as the story progresses. I love when you get to be in the minds of the characters. There is a death on the Danube and you think you know who the killer is, you' re just waiting for the unraveling. This is fast paced and keeps the momentum going through the whole book!! Definitely kept my interest and I couldn't put it down. I love
the Peter Andrassy stories. Following that couple has been a treat. There is just so much going on, yet you don't get lost or forget who a character is. Everyone has a part, just what part are they?? Get this book!!! You won't be disappointed!!!

Thank you to DJ Maughan and family for allowing me to
beta/arc read for him and his books! Happy 25 year
anniversary you 2!!! Keep the ideas rolling!

[Cam · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Death on the Danube by D.J. Maughan is an enjoyable mystery set against the beautiful backdrop of a river cruise from Passau to Budapest. I really liked the setting because it added a lot of atmosphere and made the story feel immersive. The friendships formed between the couples felt natural, which made the mystery that unfolds even more compelling.

This is definitely a slow-burn story, which isn’t usually my normal cup of tea, but the gradual buildup of tension and the unraveling secrets kept me interested. Overall, a solid mystery with a great setting and an engaging story!

Thank you to D.J for allowing me to read this book early in exchange for an honest review!

[Kim McFall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have quickly become a fan of DJ Maughan’s books! This is my third and I loved it so much!!

This is a fast-paced crime thriller with a story that unfolds twists, turns, dark secrets, and betrayals.

I love how the characters feel like real-life people that you could actually meet while in a vacation. The conversations and the emotional experiences helped make it feel like I was right there on the cruise with them.

I can’t wait to read more books with Peter Andrassy!!

I am so grateful to have received this arc from the author!

[Jennifer Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by author DJ Maughan!! There was so many twists and turns that no one could see coming!! Loved seeing Peter do his thing!

[Elaine Rainbolt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this story and hearing about real life places in different countries and finding out the characters were based on real life people well except some scenes that happened in the book. The people were likeable. I am looking forward to eventually reading the other books that were based in Budapest with Peter in it. This story made me feel like I was on the cruise with them.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this advanced copy directly from the author...

This is my 4th book by D.J. Maughan. Another great read!!!! There were plenty of plot twists and elements that make this a good fast paced psychological thriller.

I definitely recommend checking this book out as well as his other books!

[k mandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the story was relatively engaging the structure was problematic at times. The first 45% of the book is a bit of a slow crawl; if I had not agreed to read the ARC, I don't think I would have finished the book. It does improve, however. The novel begins with jumping back and forth between the points of view of several characters. Since there is no context yet it was difficult to keep them straight. There were also a few lapses in the POV presentation. The novel reads almost like a YA and this causes a good deal of the dialogue to seem trite. For example, one character mentions his daughter by stating "the last year of her life, she spent in the hospital" and then another character says: "She didn't make it?" Um, the last year of her life was a clear giveaway. In another section: "he notices several flecks of dark blood and more on the balcony." Several flecks and more WHAT? Then there were grammatical glitches such as mentioning that a hand starts to tremor. Tremor is a noun, not a verb. Throughout the story it often seemed that a crumb of a clue was being left but often those turned out be totally meaningless, leaving the reader to wonder why they were even added as they merely became word clutter. The parts that described the actual tours were sometimes a bit more than was needed but the author did weave them into the story well. Overall, there is some really good potential and the story itself has some merit. There problems were in execution. There were some blips along the way but the story itself made this a solid 3.

[Tracy Hinson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really love your books. My anxiety was over the top. Bravo

[Lady Georgette (ieatpagesforbreakfast) · Rating 5 out of 5]

NEW ARC READ!!!
PUBLISHING DATE : 19TH MARCH 2026

Date : 21st February 2026
Book : Death On The Danube
Author : D.J Maughan
Genre : Psychological Thriller / Mystery

Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’m so glad the author reached out to me and gave me the chance to read this ARC and to give my honest review on it! It’s one of those books you read like a movie because it actually just flowed.

So..this is the story of a group of friends that planned a cruise trip to Europe and become good buddies in a short span of time. Now when I say cruise, I’m talking luxury cruise, meaning 5⭐️ service with gorgeous views of Budapest and non-stop drinks. It’s supposed to be this big, happy get-together but the happy vibes are short lived.

And you know what? I thought this book definitely gave me White Lotus vibes and I’m here for it!!! I think you’ll enjoy this book as much as I did if you love a fast paced “vacation gone wrong” trope along with a bunch of whodunnits! Great ARC✨

#deathonthedanube #djmaughan #thriller #mystery #psychologicalthriller •vacation gone wrong•friends•whodunnit•

[Nancy M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband and I just finished reading “Death on the Danube”. It was a very engaging whodunnit mystery book with interesting characters and all sorts of psychological twists and turns. The story takes place on a cruise ship in exotic locations in Europe. There is a mysterious passenger named Derek (or is that his real name?) with a shady, possible criminal history. There is intrigue as three couples are drawn into the storyline with deadly results. It was wonderful to read again about Peter Andrassy and his wife, very strong interesting characters. We’ve read the entire Andrassy series. The story builds momentum and draws you in until Peter arrives for the police investigation. We only wish that he arrived sooner than the halfway point of the book, but it was still a very enjoyable experience. We can’t wait for the next novel in the series. Don’t miss this one!

[Beth Tuley · Rating 4 out of 5]

DJ’s books are always reliably fast-paced and hold my attention from beginning to end. This one was no different. Death on the Danube is a fast-paced murder mystery. 3 couples from Arizona on a Danube River cruise from Germany to Hungary. There is an underlying dynamic that we discover later, and when one of the passengers in the group ends up dead, it’s up to detective Andrassy to figure out who did it. There was a twist I didn’t see coming and I’m dying to know where it leads in DJ’s future books. Overall a very enjoyable, solid mystery. No plot holes or gaps, and best of all, in my opinion, this could really happen. It’s not far fetched at all. Death on the Danube releases 3/19 and I definitely recommend it.

[Codi King · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to read an ARC of this book from D.J Maughan and the street team and once again he nailed it! This book is about a group of couples that end up on a Hungarian cruise, some traveled together and some realize it’s a small world and they may have other connections. Immediately you find out that there was a body found floating in the water, was it an accident or a murder?
Well if you know anything about Mr. Maughan you know whatever you think happened is definitely wrong! Initially I was a little unsure of this storyline, I know absolutely nothing about Hungary or any of the sites in the story but it was well written and easy of follow! The character build up is in depth but useful all the way through. And of course there are plenty of twists and turns! Giving this one a 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

[Justice Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this gripping fast-paced thriller, the setting of a cruise ship serves as a perfect backdrop for tension and intrigue. The story revolves around a group of couples who form unexpected friendships during their voyage. Among them is a Hungarian man whose mysterious past adds layers to the narrative.

Overall, it's a captivating read that combines the thrill of mystery with the allure of adventure on a river cruise . If you’re looking for a page-turner that keeps you interested, this one is definitely worth your time! It’s the kind of book that if you have the time you could definitely read it in a few hours.

[Jennifer Schwartz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The concept is really interesting, and the dialogue stood out to me. I find it cool that the author utilized an experience he really had as the inspiration.

The budding friendships between the couples and tensions within each couple felt natural and kept things engaging throughout.

It does take a bit to get fully into the story, but once everything starts coming together toward the end, it’s definitely worth it. I definitely didn’t see it ending how it did! I felt bad for one of the characters. That last part really pulled me in and made the buildup feel more meaningful.

Overall, a good read with a strong idea and great character interactions, just takes a little patience to get there.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read a book by DJ Maughan that I haven't loved. This book had the right pace. There were quite a few characters but the guide at the front of the book and the labeling in the chapters made it easy to keep track. I kept thinking I had the twists figured out but I didn't. It's always nice to catch up with Peter and see how things have been with him. I liked the way this book was written. It was explanatory where I felt like I had gone on the trip with them without feeling too much. I enjoyed the different points and perspectives. Thank you to DJ Maughan and BookFunnel for the ARC.

[Pheadra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read this author before. As I received an advance copy of this book, I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Budapest is the setting for a cruise taken by Brianna and Derek celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. As is prone in such settings, they make friends with two other couples. Unfortunately, a body is discovered that necessitates calling Peter Andrassy, a former NYPD detective now turned investigator for the Hungarian National Police to investigate.

The information and descriptions made it very obvious that the author had been in the location and was speaking from experience

Good twists and fast-paced. 4 stars

[Natasha Stills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done! 🤌👏⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I can't wait for more Peter and Zsuzsa. I do love how the book was inspired by the author's personal trip! I will absolutely read every single book D.J publishes, all his work is so good. D.J.'s writing style is superb, and his ability to tell a story is phenomenal! The twists and turns will have you like 😲🤯🫢! That being said, I highly recommend you read this book and all his other books.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death on the Danube really kept me reading. The story pulled me in right away and made me feel like I was right there experiencing everything as it happened. Every time I thought I had figured out what really happened, another twist came along and completely changed things. I love a mystery that keeps me guessing, and this one definitely did that. Overall, it was a very engaging read that I had a hard time putting down.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got an ARC of this book but it comes out later this month. Do not sleep on this one, it is so good.
Death on the Danube follows a few couples on a river cruise where there are laughs, memories made, and murder. The twists and turns were 🤯. D.J. Maughan is one of my favorite authors and if you like twisty thrillers that are fast paced and easy to read, he will be one of your favorites too. This was a five star read for me.

[VickydpBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good and it was amazing storyline

A dream vacation. A perfect anniversary. A killer hiding in plain sight.

When Derek and Brianna Murphy set off on a romantic river cruise from Passau to Budapest to celebrate twenty-five years of marriage, they expect historic cities, candlelit dinners, and a much-needed reconnection. What they don’t expect is the instant bond they form with two other couples—strangers who, over shared excursions and late-night conversations, begin to feel like lifelong friends.

[Jennifer Jeffries · Rating 5 out of 5]

i received this book as an ARC for my review. But I must say I have thoroughly enjoyed this book, I felt like I was right along with them on vacation. I could see everything in my mind while reading! It was woven together beautifully and didn't see the twist coming. Thank you for another fantastic read!

[Alyssa Fujimoto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as an ARC reader & OMG! It had me hooked from page one definitely a page turner! Keeps you interested from start to finish! The twists were BEYOND what I expected! Always love me some Peter too, so was super excited to have him in this book 🤭 I would definitely recommend this book once it’s released! Another amazing book from this author, he never disappoints!

[Frannie Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

A huge thank you to Booksirens for an ARC of D.J. Maughan's latest book.

Just like ALL his other books, I loved it! I feel like I just got off a European river cruise...the descriptions of the trip were so real! But I would want to avoid the dramas of this group. And it was so good to see Peter in action again. I need more of Peter and what happens next for him personally!

[Kortney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honored to have received another ARC from D.J.! This fast-paced, murder mystery really does a great job winding all the characters together in a messy web of lies, wrongdoings, and trying to run from the past. The best part is seeing characters from past books make a reappearance. The first chapter leaves you on a cliffhanger… who died?! You’ll have to read it to find out. 😉

[Ali McMurray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will never skip a book by D. J. Maughan! I was an ARC for this book and loved it! It kept me intrigued the whole time, things happened right off the bat, quick chapters make you want to keep reading! And the detective Peter from previous books I really like! I will continue to read D.J.’s work and always recommend!

[Naomi Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trigger warnings, suicide, child death, and rape are lightly mentioned. The first chapter pulled me in, and then I just had to know. I thought I had it figured out, and maybe I did a little (and I do mean, a little), but there was more to the story than I knew. I always love a good twist!