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Choppy Water #1
Choppy Water
A woman's body is found in a laundry cart aboard the Silver Lady cruise ship. Management says it was a freak accident and her death is quickly covered up, so as not to spoil the voyage for the passengers.
Cesar Cain doesn't want to get involved. He boarded the Silver Lady to disappear. If the cops find him, he's in a cell. If the Hell's Hounds catch him, he's in a grave.
But it's March 2020, and the borders are slamming shut. Cesar soon discovers that the woman wasn't the first victim - and with the ship suddenly quarantined and unable to dock anywhere, she won't be the last ...
Cesar Cain doesn't want to get involved. He boarded the Silver Lady to disappear. If the cops find him, he's in a cell. If the Hell's Hounds catch him, he's in a grave.
But it's March 2020, and the borders are slamming shut. Cesar soon discovers that the woman wasn't the first victim - and with the ship suddenly quarantined and unable to dock anywhere, she won't be the last ...
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 3, 2026
About the author
Jack Heath
84 books910 followersHi, I'm Jack! I'm a novelist from Canberra, Australia. My work includes 300 Minutes of Danger (for kids), Kill Your Husbands (not for kids), and forty-eight other books, which have sold over a million copies in ten languages. I live with my wife, four chickens, three possums, two cats, some fish, and a pair of human children. 🏡
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
November 2, 2026
"3,000 people are trapped on board. One of them is a murderer."
There are authors you enjoy, authors you admire, and then there are authors whose books you would happily read while standing in the middle of a burning building. Jack Heath firmly belongs in the latter category.
I have yet to pick up a Jack Heath book that hasn’t delivered, and Choppy Water is another cracking addition to an already impressive body of work.
A suspicious death aboard a luxury cruise ship, 3,000 passengers, a whole lot of secrets and a murderer who may be rather closer than anyone would like. Throw in a protagonist with a complicated past, a questionable identity and enough baggage to fill the ship’s entire luggage hold, and you’ve got yourself one hell of a voyage.
What I particularly loved were the twists. Just when I thought I had things figured out, Heath gleefully pulled the rug out from underneath me. The plotting kept me guessing, the tension was addictive, and the increasingly claustrophobic setting made for an absolute treat of a thriller.
There’s something wonderfully entertaining about a Jack Heath novel. He knows how to construct a compelling mystery, keep the pages turning and deliver those moments that make you stop, reread a paragraph and mutter, “Well, I didn’t see that coming!”
Another winner from one of my favourite Australian authors. Consider this a very enthusiastic recommendation. Just perhaps avoid booking a cruise immediately afterwards!
My highest recommendation!
Thank you Allen & Unwin and Jack Heath for my early readers copy.
Available from today!
There are authors you enjoy, authors you admire, and then there are authors whose books you would happily read while standing in the middle of a burning building. Jack Heath firmly belongs in the latter category.
I have yet to pick up a Jack Heath book that hasn’t delivered, and Choppy Water is another cracking addition to an already impressive body of work.
A suspicious death aboard a luxury cruise ship, 3,000 passengers, a whole lot of secrets and a murderer who may be rather closer than anyone would like. Throw in a protagonist with a complicated past, a questionable identity and enough baggage to fill the ship’s entire luggage hold, and you’ve got yourself one hell of a voyage.
What I particularly loved were the twists. Just when I thought I had things figured out, Heath gleefully pulled the rug out from underneath me. The plotting kept me guessing, the tension was addictive, and the increasingly claustrophobic setting made for an absolute treat of a thriller.
There’s something wonderfully entertaining about a Jack Heath novel. He knows how to construct a compelling mystery, keep the pages turning and deliver those moments that make you stop, reread a paragraph and mutter, “Well, I didn’t see that coming!”
Another winner from one of my favourite Australian authors. Consider this a very enthusiastic recommendation. Just perhaps avoid booking a cruise immediately afterwards!
My highest recommendation!
Thank you Allen & Unwin and Jack Heath for my early readers copy.
Available from today!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have been on quite a few cruises in my time but none of them even began to resemble this cruise from hell. Trouble strikes from all directions, COVID, pirates, gangsters, food shortages because ports of call are closed to them and then the mere presence of our main character, Cesar Cain.
Cesar is not his real name and we discover he is travelling on a false passport and that he is one of those bad guys who you end up liking and cheering on through the whole book. The action is non stop , frequently brutal and always entertaining. I enjoyed it very much as I always do this author's books. I am look forward very much to the second book in this series. Five stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Cesar is not his real name and we discover he is travelling on a false passport and that he is one of those bad guys who you end up liking and cheering on through the whole book. The action is non stop , frequently brutal and always entertaining. I enjoyed it very much as I always do this author's books. I am look forward very much to the second book in this series. Five stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Cesar Cain was cleaning cabins on board the Silver Lady cruise ship when he discovered a body on his cart, covered by towels. They were heading to Alaska where the passengers would disembark for the day, a few could board and the staff would catch up on their work. But it was 2020 and the pandemic was just making itself felt. Suddenly borders were closed to ships, including the Silver Lady and Captain Devi had to make the decision to head for home. Meanwhile, Cesar declared the death wasn't an accident, while the security guard and doctor concluded it was just wrong place, wrong time for the poor, unfortunate woman.
Cesar was in hiding after the Hounds had declared him dead, once they found him. He'd been aboard for seven months, and was sure no one knew where he was. He had also discovered there were secrets, scams, something deadly happening on board. Befriending Sasha, another staff member, they worked together to find the truth. But they were working against something far stronger than they were; far more dangerous than anything they'd ever come across...
Choppy Water is the 1st in the Choppy Water series by Aussie author Jack Heath and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This is my first read by this author and I was a little wary, but although it was gruesome in places, it wasn't "in your face" and I'll definitely be back for more, especially this series. I liked the MC; he was quite ingenious with his ideas... Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & Allen & Unwin for my digital ARC to read and review.
Cesar was in hiding after the Hounds had declared him dead, once they found him. He'd been aboard for seven months, and was sure no one knew where he was. He had also discovered there were secrets, scams, something deadly happening on board. Befriending Sasha, another staff member, they worked together to find the truth. But they were working against something far stronger than they were; far more dangerous than anything they'd ever come across...
Choppy Water is the 1st in the Choppy Water series by Aussie author Jack Heath and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This is my first read by this author and I was a little wary, but although it was gruesome in places, it wasn't "in your face" and I'll definitely be back for more, especially this series. I liked the MC; he was quite ingenious with his ideas... Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & Allen & Unwin for my digital ARC to read and review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Well this confirms that I will never go on a cruise … ever! thank you Jack Heath😆 A cruise ship at the start of the Covid pandemic in March 2020, where serial killer appears to be taking out passengers and crew alike.
I had so much so much fun with this book..yes it is a dark and particularly gruesome, but you know what, it is fabulous. If you have read this authors books before, you will know that he doesn’t hold back on describing murder. One death more than any other in this book will stay with me for a long time, just horrific. I just can’t stop thinking about it.
Jack Heaths humour is perfectly placed amongst the mess and trauma, it did make me laugh out loud. If you enjoy a locked room mystery, throw in some bikkies and pirates then this is the perfect book for you. It is intense and full of adrenaline rushing scenes. I read it in one sitting in the interstate train to Melbourne.
Thank you so much to Allen and Unwin for my advanced physical copy and E copy on NetGalley . Publishes on November 3rd.
I had so much so much fun with this book..yes it is a dark and particularly gruesome, but you know what, it is fabulous. If you have read this authors books before, you will know that he doesn’t hold back on describing murder. One death more than any other in this book will stay with me for a long time, just horrific. I just can’t stop thinking about it.
Jack Heaths humour is perfectly placed amongst the mess and trauma, it did make me laugh out loud. If you enjoy a locked room mystery, throw in some bikkies and pirates then this is the perfect book for you. It is intense and full of adrenaline rushing scenes. I read it in one sitting in the interstate train to Melbourne.
Thank you so much to Allen and Unwin for my advanced physical copy and E copy on NetGalley . Publishes on November 3rd.
October 23, 2026
*4 Stars*
I find Jack Heath's novels to be pure escapism and compulsively readable.
Choppy Water is a thrilling locked room murder mystery and you’ll love the voyage ahead! It’s set at the start of the COVID pandemic in 2020.
It has a saucy start but when a woman’s body is found in a laundry cart on the cruise ship The Silver Lady, management onboard appear to quickly cover it up and claim it was a freak accident!
There’s a fugitive and a murderer hiding out on the ship and some unexpected twists and turns.
Everyone finds themselves trapped onboard and passengers and crew can’t leave the ship!
There’s plenty of action and good humour and I’ve only just booked a cruise, thinking about twice now, thanks Jack! 🙃
Publication Date 02 November 2026
Publisher Allen & Unwin
Thank you so much to the awesome team @allenandunwin for a copy of the book.
I find Jack Heath's novels to be pure escapism and compulsively readable.
Choppy Water is a thrilling locked room murder mystery and you’ll love the voyage ahead! It’s set at the start of the COVID pandemic in 2020.
It has a saucy start but when a woman’s body is found in a laundry cart on the cruise ship The Silver Lady, management onboard appear to quickly cover it up and claim it was a freak accident!
There’s a fugitive and a murderer hiding out on the ship and some unexpected twists and turns.
Everyone finds themselves trapped onboard and passengers and crew can’t leave the ship!
There’s plenty of action and good humour and I’ve only just booked a cruise, thinking about twice now, thanks Jack! 🙃
Publication Date 02 November 2026
Publisher Allen & Unwin
Thank you so much to the awesome team @allenandunwin for a copy of the book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In March 2020, a man is on the run. Both the police and the bikie gang he infiltrated are after him. The police because they think he is guilty of murder and the bikie gang because his work as an undercover police officer has caused them grief. His passport identifies him as ‘Cesar Cain’ and he is working aboard a cruise ship, the Silver Lady, as a cleaner.
And Cesar may well have stayed below the radar except for the discovery of a woman’s body in his laundry cart. Who was she, how did she die, and why? Cesar discovers that neither the captain nor the security team seem interested in investigating this death.
The Silver Lady provides a perfect setting for this mystery. The advent of Covid, preventing the ship from docking at any port, means that no one can leave the ship. It also means that food supplies become scarce, passengers are anxious and increasingly dissatisfied.
There are several twists in this story, together with plenty of (sometimes implausible) action and the gradual unfurling of Cesar’s backstory adds
another layer of tension.
Thank you, Mr Heath. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Especially as I have decided never to go on a cruise.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Allen & Unwin for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
And Cesar may well have stayed below the radar except for the discovery of a woman’s body in his laundry cart. Who was she, how did she die, and why? Cesar discovers that neither the captain nor the security team seem interested in investigating this death.
The Silver Lady provides a perfect setting for this mystery. The advent of Covid, preventing the ship from docking at any port, means that no one can leave the ship. It also means that food supplies become scarce, passengers are anxious and increasingly dissatisfied.
There are several twists in this story, together with plenty of (sometimes implausible) action and the gradual unfurling of Cesar’s backstory adds
another layer of tension.
Thank you, Mr Heath. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Especially as I have decided never to go on a cruise.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Allen & Unwin for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Read as an ARC. This was a gripping read that I whipped through. Enjoyed the characters and storyline, although a few times I needed to flick back to check details as it moves back and forth through closely linked time periods. I actually re-read the prologue after the book and appreciated it more! Very twisty plot, with a mix of humour, at times quite graphic violence and a fast paced storyline - a very thrilling read!!
November 5, 2026
John McClane meets Jack Reacher, cruise ship style, with a side of Casey Ryback!
When a woman’s body is discovered in a laundry cart aboard the Silver Lady cruise ship, management is quick to dismiss it as an accident. But Cesar Cain, who boarded the ship hoping to disappear, soon discovers that she’s not the first victim.
Cesar wants nothing to do with it. He’s got enough trouble of his own, with the police on one side and the Hell’s Hounds on the other. But when the past he’s desperately trying to escape starts catching up with him, he finds himself drawn into investigating the murders.
With borders closing and the ship placed under quarantine amid the covid chaos of March 2020, a killer is trapped on board… and there may be more victims to come.
There is SO much happening in this book, but somehow it all works! It’s high tension, fast-paced and absolutely relentless.
Choppy Water reads like an action movie. When I gave my husband a quick rundown of what was happening, his response was that it would make a brilliant movie.
While I managed to work a few things out along the way, I genuinely couldn’t predict where Jack Heath was taking this story. And just when I thought I had it all figured out… he left us with a cliffhanger!
Although this sits firmly in the thriller and murder mystery categories, I’d argue that if you’re a fan of Die Hard or Under Siege, this one needs to be on your radar.
An action-packed, high-stakes thriller that barely gives you time to catch your breath.
When a woman’s body is discovered in a laundry cart aboard the Silver Lady cruise ship, management is quick to dismiss it as an accident. But Cesar Cain, who boarded the ship hoping to disappear, soon discovers that she’s not the first victim.
Cesar wants nothing to do with it. He’s got enough trouble of his own, with the police on one side and the Hell’s Hounds on the other. But when the past he’s desperately trying to escape starts catching up with him, he finds himself drawn into investigating the murders.
With borders closing and the ship placed under quarantine amid the covid chaos of March 2020, a killer is trapped on board… and there may be more victims to come.
There is SO much happening in this book, but somehow it all works! It’s high tension, fast-paced and absolutely relentless.
Choppy Water reads like an action movie. When I gave my husband a quick rundown of what was happening, his response was that it would make a brilliant movie.
While I managed to work a few things out along the way, I genuinely couldn’t predict where Jack Heath was taking this story. And just when I thought I had it all figured out… he left us with a cliffhanger!
Although this sits firmly in the thriller and murder mystery categories, I’d argue that if you’re a fan of Die Hard or Under Siege, this one needs to be on your radar.
An action-packed, high-stakes thriller that barely gives you time to catch your breath.
November 3, 2026
Anything Jack writes, I will read.. and his latest release packs some serious punch
It’s early 2020 and while cleaning cabins aboard the luxurious Silver Lady cruise ship Cesar Cain discovers a woman’s dead body in his laundry cart.
Management try to keep it under wraps, with the coronavirus already making everyone nervous this is the last thing anyone needs to cause a panic.
Cesar is using the cruise ship as a way to disappear, but as another victim is discovered and the borders start to close, this might have not been the best place to disappear from his past life
Well this has cemented my feelings about cruises 🤣 there is so much tension and suspense from the get go. Not only is there a possible serial killer aboard but you can’t get off the damn boat 🤯🫣
I felt right back in early covid times with the uncertainty and I remember many cruise ships being stranded at sea, but let alone a killer on board!!
Jack signature humour and wit are splashed through out, as we flow between the present of 2020 and a year earlier in Cesar’s life.
He is a fantastic character and I hope this isn’t the only time we meet him!
A must read for the year!
It’s early 2020 and while cleaning cabins aboard the luxurious Silver Lady cruise ship Cesar Cain discovers a woman’s dead body in his laundry cart.
Management try to keep it under wraps, with the coronavirus already making everyone nervous this is the last thing anyone needs to cause a panic.
Cesar is using the cruise ship as a way to disappear, but as another victim is discovered and the borders start to close, this might have not been the best place to disappear from his past life
Well this has cemented my feelings about cruises 🤣 there is so much tension and suspense from the get go. Not only is there a possible serial killer aboard but you can’t get off the damn boat 🤯🫣
I felt right back in early covid times with the uncertainty and I remember many cruise ships being stranded at sea, but let alone a killer on board!!
Jack signature humour and wit are splashed through out, as we flow between the present of 2020 and a year earlier in Cesar’s life.
He is a fantastic character and I hope this isn’t the only time we meet him!
A must read for the year!
October 19, 2026
21 Jump Street meets Die Hard, with a dash of Death on the Nile!
I really enjoyed the Silver Lady as the setting for this one! A cruise ship full of questionable characters, a murderer on board & the added complication of COVID bringing everything to a standstill. Not exactly smooth sailing!
This was a fun, action-packed read with plenty of dark humour, some rather gruesome moments & increasingly ridiculous situations. I particularly enjoyed Cesar Cain as a character, especially as more of his backstory came to light. He’s got enough problems of his own without finding himself caught up in a murder investigation!
It’s certainly more action thriller than traditional whodunnit, and you’ll need to suspend disbelief here and there, but I enjoyed the absolute chaos of it all!
I really enjoyed the Silver Lady as the setting for this one! A cruise ship full of questionable characters, a murderer on board & the added complication of COVID bringing everything to a standstill. Not exactly smooth sailing!
This was a fun, action-packed read with plenty of dark humour, some rather gruesome moments & increasingly ridiculous situations. I particularly enjoyed Cesar Cain as a character, especially as more of his backstory came to light. He’s got enough problems of his own without finding himself caught up in a murder investigation!
It’s certainly more action thriller than traditional whodunnit, and you’ll need to suspend disbelief here and there, but I enjoyed the absolute chaos of it all!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Jack Heath certainly knows how to write a story that grips you from the very start, and doesn't release you from its grips until the very last page.
Great characters, an intense sense of danger, dark humour, and amazing plot twists... this has been one of my most anticipated read of 2026 and it certainly lived up to all my expectations.
And the fact that it is set in early 2020, just as the world is starting the feel the effects of the Covid pandemic, lends a real sense of menace to the storyline... as well as creating the perfect locked room (or ship) setting.
This is a stand-alone thriller... but my question for Jack.... will there be more to come?
Because I am adding them to my wish list right now.
Highly recommended if you love a great thriller.... and aren't planning on taking a cruise anytime soon.
Thanks to Allen and Unwin for the Advance Reading Copy of this book
Great characters, an intense sense of danger, dark humour, and amazing plot twists... this has been one of my most anticipated read of 2026 and it certainly lived up to all my expectations.
And the fact that it is set in early 2020, just as the world is starting the feel the effects of the Covid pandemic, lends a real sense of menace to the storyline... as well as creating the perfect locked room (or ship) setting.
This is a stand-alone thriller... but my question for Jack.... will there be more to come?
Because I am adding them to my wish list right now.
Highly recommended if you love a great thriller.... and aren't planning on taking a cruise anytime soon.
Thanks to Allen and Unwin for the Advance Reading Copy of this book
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I have really enjoyed the last two books in Jack Heath’s regional Australia-based ‘Kill Your’ series, but with Choppy Water he takes a different direction with a frenetically paced thriller set aboard an American cruise ship on the eve of COVID-19.
When Cesar Cain, a cleaner on the Silver Lady cruise ship, finds a woman’s body in a laundry cart, management is quick to classify it as a freak accident and cover it up so as to not spoil the voyage for the passengers. Cain, not his real name, is not convinced, but he is not keen to get involved. He is on the ship to avoid the police and an American motorcycle gang that want him dead. But as the bodies begin to mount up, and the plight of the ship becomes more precarious, he finds that he has no choice. Ports are being closed to the ship, passengers are rioting, rumours of privacy are circulating, the murders keep on coming and Cain’s chances of surviving are getting slimmer and slimmer.
I read Choppy Water whilst holidaying, and found it to be a terrifically entertaining read. The story races along at a fast pace, helped by short chapters, numerous twists and frequent cliffhanger chapter endings. The dangers faced by Cain get wilder and wilder, and the book builds to a gripping, blood-soaked conclusion.
The cruise ship setting is well managed, with interesting titbits of information, and the characters are a quirky batch.
Needless to say some suspension of disbelief is needed, especially for one character reveal, but it is very easy to be taken away by the story without too much questioning. The tone is probably darker than Heath’s recent ‘Kill Your’ books, but there are flashes of his trademark humour, and regular readers will appreciate the passing references to events in his earlier novels.
In all, Choppy Water is a good, fun read that kept me highly entertained from beginning to end.
When Cesar Cain, a cleaner on the Silver Lady cruise ship, finds a woman’s body in a laundry cart, management is quick to classify it as a freak accident and cover it up so as to not spoil the voyage for the passengers. Cain, not his real name, is not convinced, but he is not keen to get involved. He is on the ship to avoid the police and an American motorcycle gang that want him dead. But as the bodies begin to mount up, and the plight of the ship becomes more precarious, he finds that he has no choice. Ports are being closed to the ship, passengers are rioting, rumours of privacy are circulating, the murders keep on coming and Cain’s chances of surviving are getting slimmer and slimmer.
I read Choppy Water whilst holidaying, and found it to be a terrifically entertaining read. The story races along at a fast pace, helped by short chapters, numerous twists and frequent cliffhanger chapter endings. The dangers faced by Cain get wilder and wilder, and the book builds to a gripping, blood-soaked conclusion.
The cruise ship setting is well managed, with interesting titbits of information, and the characters are a quirky batch.
Needless to say some suspension of disbelief is needed, especially for one character reveal, but it is very easy to be taken away by the story without too much questioning. The tone is probably darker than Heath’s recent ‘Kill Your’ books, but there are flashes of his trademark humour, and regular readers will appreciate the passing references to events in his earlier novels.
In all, Choppy Water is a good, fun read that kept me highly entertained from beginning to end.
November 4, 2026
Big thanks to Allen & Unwin for sending us a copy to read and review.
An action packed, drama filled and dark mystery read from an established and popular Aussie writer.
Jack Heath, bestselling author, frees his newest book into the universe.
Choppy Water is a story that delves deep into the crevices of a cruise ship where murder, deception and mysterious ploys live.
It’s 2020 and onboard the cruise ship The Silver Lady a woman is found dead.
It’s quickly swept under the carpet so it doesn’t spoil the trip for the guests.
Housekeeping worker Cesar is soon wrapped up in finding out the truth, even though he’s illegally working there and people are looking for him.
But he can’t seem to get the dead body out of his head.
Everyone is hiding something and it’s not the first body murdered on the ship.
Having enjoyed Jack’s “Kill Your…..” trilogy, I was keen to read his next book venture.
And I did take pleasure in my reading experience with this story.
Intelligent plotting and complex characters make this tale a delight to read.
I wasn’t sure how this was going to end up and it did surprise me in the best possible way.
An author who gives his audience a juicy, well written and deliciously wicked entertaining read.
A gratifying crime thriller with a side order of sinister and a dollop of pleasing.
An action packed, drama filled and dark mystery read from an established and popular Aussie writer.
Jack Heath, bestselling author, frees his newest book into the universe.
Choppy Water is a story that delves deep into the crevices of a cruise ship where murder, deception and mysterious ploys live.
It’s 2020 and onboard the cruise ship The Silver Lady a woman is found dead.
It’s quickly swept under the carpet so it doesn’t spoil the trip for the guests.
Housekeeping worker Cesar is soon wrapped up in finding out the truth, even though he’s illegally working there and people are looking for him.
But he can’t seem to get the dead body out of his head.
Everyone is hiding something and it’s not the first body murdered on the ship.
Having enjoyed Jack’s “Kill Your…..” trilogy, I was keen to read his next book venture.
And I did take pleasure in my reading experience with this story.
Intelligent plotting and complex characters make this tale a delight to read.
I wasn’t sure how this was going to end up and it did surprise me in the best possible way.
An author who gives his audience a juicy, well written and deliciously wicked entertaining read.
A gratifying crime thriller with a side order of sinister and a dollop of pleasing.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you so much, Allen & Unwin, for gifting me a proof of this alluring thriller that hooked me pretty much from the first page! 🙌🏼👀
What I found amazing about this story is that there are several layers to the plot that are connected with a tragedy in the past that is actually the reason for the present. But this is only the arc of the main character, and beside his story, there is much going on.
Caesar Cane is on the run. He has been working as a cleaner on the “Silver Lady” cruise ship. He is there for a reason, but the chain of events that started on the ship in March 2020, along with the hit of the worldwide pandemic, leads him to investigate the murder of a young woman, whose body Caesar discovered in a laundry cart.
Just wow! 💥💥💥💥
The suspense level in this book was crazy!
I kept reading and things kept tangling in such unexpected ways! And of course, I guessed wrong about the main villain, or should I say villains! Caesar had to dig deep to get to the bottom of a masterful scheme that involved far more people than he expected!
Jack Heath is that kind of author that makes me, a fantasy girl, enjoy a good thriller! I hope it speaks volumes for you and will convince you to pick this incredible story!
What I found amazing about this story is that there are several layers to the plot that are connected with a tragedy in the past that is actually the reason for the present. But this is only the arc of the main character, and beside his story, there is much going on.
Caesar Cane is on the run. He has been working as a cleaner on the “Silver Lady” cruise ship. He is there for a reason, but the chain of events that started on the ship in March 2020, along with the hit of the worldwide pandemic, leads him to investigate the murder of a young woman, whose body Caesar discovered in a laundry cart.
Just wow! 💥💥💥💥
The suspense level in this book was crazy!
I kept reading and things kept tangling in such unexpected ways! And of course, I guessed wrong about the main villain, or should I say villains! Caesar had to dig deep to get to the bottom of a masterful scheme that involved far more people than he expected!
Jack Heath is that kind of author that makes me, a fantasy girl, enjoy a good thriller! I hope it speaks volumes for you and will convince you to pick this incredible story!
October 4, 2026
ARC Review received from NetGalley
Well that was the murder cruise from hell. Jack Heath has done it again with another intense thriller, this time with a higher body count and the horror of being stuck on a cruise ship at the beginning of the COVID pandemic.
Our protagonist Cesar Cain is on the run, from the police and a motorcycle gang, and is hiding out on a cruise ship as part of the housekeeping crew. When he stumbles across a dead woman’s body, a chain reaction is set off and the race is on to discover who the murderer is, as more bodies begin to turn up.
This was an action packed book and I could see it play out as a movie. There is so much happening, especially in the last third of the book, that you must pay attention so as not to lose the storyline,
This was a fast paced read for me and I was able to finish it in one sitting, highly recommend.
Well that was the murder cruise from hell. Jack Heath has done it again with another intense thriller, this time with a higher body count and the horror of being stuck on a cruise ship at the beginning of the COVID pandemic.
Our protagonist Cesar Cain is on the run, from the police and a motorcycle gang, and is hiding out on a cruise ship as part of the housekeeping crew. When he stumbles across a dead woman’s body, a chain reaction is set off and the race is on to discover who the murderer is, as more bodies begin to turn up.
This was an action packed book and I could see it play out as a movie. There is so much happening, especially in the last third of the book, that you must pay attention so as not to lose the storyline,
This was a fast paced read for me and I was able to finish it in one sitting, highly recommend.
November 10, 2026
Are you not entertained? Actually, I am. Very much so. This was fun. But it was also gruesome. And dark. A wicked. Just what you'd expect from Jack Heath (well, his books for adults anyway). I liked our protagonist so I'm happy he will be around for at least one more book. This cruise ship is heading to Alaska, with 3000 people on board, including our protagonist Cesar Cain, not his real name. The book opens with crew member Cain discovering a body in his laundry crate. Of course we don't want passengers to panic so let's just keep this quiet. So Cesar begins his own investigation. Turns out there are bodies aplenty by the end. Some chapters are set the year before, back on land, so we learn about Cain's life before. Suspend your belief for a bit and enjoy the fun. The criminal enterprise was very clever. I had to read that bit twice. :D
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Jack Heath you have done it again!
Choppy Water is a fast paced, cat and mouse thriller set on a cruise ship. Undercover cop, Cesar Cain, is on the run. Not only from the police, but from the bikie gang he infiltrated.
Working as a room attendant on board the Silver Lady, Cesar feels he is safe from those hunting him. When he finds a body in his laundry cart one day, he wonders how this death is so quickly put down to misadventure by ship security.
As he starts to investigate what really happened, another person is reported missing. To make matters worse, while they have been at sea ports around the world are shutting due to Covid.
The passengers and crew of the Silver Lady soon find themselves on their own. Nowhere to port, people unwell, food running out, and a murderer on board.
This is a fun story to read. Jack's wicked black humour is on display as well as some very descriptive deaths. I for one would be happy to see Cesar back in another story.
Choppy Water is a fast paced, cat and mouse thriller set on a cruise ship. Undercover cop, Cesar Cain, is on the run. Not only from the police, but from the bikie gang he infiltrated.
Working as a room attendant on board the Silver Lady, Cesar feels he is safe from those hunting him. When he finds a body in his laundry cart one day, he wonders how this death is so quickly put down to misadventure by ship security.
As he starts to investigate what really happened, another person is reported missing. To make matters worse, while they have been at sea ports around the world are shutting due to Covid.
The passengers and crew of the Silver Lady soon find themselves on their own. Nowhere to port, people unwell, food running out, and a murderer on board.
This is a fun story to read. Jack's wicked black humour is on display as well as some very descriptive deaths. I for one would be happy to see Cesar back in another story.
November 12, 2026
Covid books usually stress me out but this was so gripping and felt more as a motivation to find out what happened. I love Jack’s writing and very excited to see a new series.
August 31, 2026
Choppy Water was a lot of fun and has definitely left me rethinking any future desire to go on a cruise! Despite owning a number of signed books by Jack Heath, this was surprisingly the first of his books I have actually read. As soon as I spotted it on NetGalley, I knew it was time to finally change that.
When we first meet Cesar Cain, we do not immediately realise that he is an undercover police officer, and this initial mystery was part of what drew me into the narrative. As more of his past is revealed, I found myself constantly trying to decide whether I actually liked or disliked him. Either way, he was an enormously entertaining character to follow.
The story gave me serious Die Hard vibes, with plenty of outrageous action sequences and increasingly chaotic circumstances. The writing was wonderfully cinematic, making it easy to visualise the story playing out like a movie in my head.
One particular scene involving a machete, a rather unfortunate nose and a sizzling hot plate had me absolutely in stitches. It was gruesome, ridiculous and so vividly written that my imagination immediately brought the entire scene to life!
Despite the high body count and the gruesome ways many characters meet their demise, I found myself hoping for a little more emotional impact from some of the events. However, this did not stop me from thoroughly enjoying the wild ride. Just when I thought things could not possibly become more outrageous, something else would happen. While some of the surprises genuinely caught me off guard, there were also moments where I found myself thinking that perhaps I should have seen them coming!
Overall, Choppy Water is a fast-paced, action-packed and wildly entertaining thriller that has left me keen to finally rescue the rest of my Jack Heath collection from becoming permanent TBR fossils.
Thank you to Allen & Unwin and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy in exchange for my honest review.
Choppy Water publishes on 3 November
When we first meet Cesar Cain, we do not immediately realise that he is an undercover police officer, and this initial mystery was part of what drew me into the narrative. As more of his past is revealed, I found myself constantly trying to decide whether I actually liked or disliked him. Either way, he was an enormously entertaining character to follow.
The story gave me serious Die Hard vibes, with plenty of outrageous action sequences and increasingly chaotic circumstances. The writing was wonderfully cinematic, making it easy to visualise the story playing out like a movie in my head.
One particular scene involving a machete, a rather unfortunate nose and a sizzling hot plate had me absolutely in stitches. It was gruesome, ridiculous and so vividly written that my imagination immediately brought the entire scene to life!
Despite the high body count and the gruesome ways many characters meet their demise, I found myself hoping for a little more emotional impact from some of the events. However, this did not stop me from thoroughly enjoying the wild ride. Just when I thought things could not possibly become more outrageous, something else would happen. While some of the surprises genuinely caught me off guard, there were also moments where I found myself thinking that perhaps I should have seen them coming!
Overall, Choppy Water is a fast-paced, action-packed and wildly entertaining thriller that has left me keen to finally rescue the rest of my Jack Heath collection from becoming permanent TBR fossils.
Thank you to Allen & Unwin and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy in exchange for my honest review.
Choppy Water publishes on 3 November
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When his cover is blown, an undercover cop must go into hiding on board a luxury cruise ship to escape the dangerous gang that's after him. However, this isn't a pleasure cruise. The bodies start piling up and he's just become the main suspect. Oh, and the Covid-19 pandemic just started.
After having 'mixed feelings' about the last Jack Heath book I read, this one blew me out of the water (so to speak). It had just about everything I look for in a thriller - good guys and bad guys with blurred lines, lies and deceit, short, sharp chapters and a main character you can't decide if you want to live or die. Choppy Water took me back to the Hangman days, when the twists seemed so inconceivable yet the author made them work somehow. Of course the main character (who's real name is never revealed) can repel down the side of a cruise ship or leap across balconies in the rain. You have to suspend belief for this one but it was a riot.
There were some questionable decisions made by the main character during this cruise from hell. Some that made me pause, some made me laugh out loud and some made me roll my eyes in disbelief. And I wasn't a fan of the ending (unless there is a sequel). Don't let the Covid aspect put you off. It is an interictal part of the plot and really fit with the story. Action-packed, far-fetched fun.
I received a free arc from Allen & Unwin via Netgalley.
After having 'mixed feelings' about the last Jack Heath book I read, this one blew me out of the water (so to speak). It had just about everything I look for in a thriller - good guys and bad guys with blurred lines, lies and deceit, short, sharp chapters and a main character you can't decide if you want to live or die. Choppy Water took me back to the Hangman days, when the twists seemed so inconceivable yet the author made them work somehow. Of course the main character (who's real name is never revealed) can repel down the side of a cruise ship or leap across balconies in the rain. You have to suspend belief for this one but it was a riot.
There were some questionable decisions made by the main character during this cruise from hell. Some that made me pause, some made me laugh out loud and some made me roll my eyes in disbelief. And I wasn't a fan of the ending (unless there is a sequel). Don't let the Covid aspect put you off. It is an interictal part of the plot and really fit with the story. Action-packed, far-fetched fun.
I received a free arc from Allen & Unwin via Netgalley.
November 6, 2026
I was very excited to score an early copy of Choppy Water by Jack Heath, one of my favourite Aussie authors, and made myself wait a couple of weeks to read it (delaying gratification!). It's a twisty one, set on the cruise ship Silver Lady in the early days of Covid, with Cesar Cain, a former undercover cop hiding from both the bikie gang he infiltrated and the good-guys, while working as a cleaner. His intention to fly under the radar goes out the window when a magician's assistant turns up dead and the ship's security is determined to call it an accident. Cesar's a good guy, just a bit lost and weighed down by guilt, and I loved that some secrets stay hidden until the very moment of reveal, so we find out stuff at the same time as him.
I found it fascinating to be taken back to those early 2020 days, when everyone figured Covid would stay a China problem and then it very much didn't, with Heath drawing on real-life cruise ships stranded as floating petri dishes. I did think the 'who' was a smidge obvious, as a seemingly pointless person or thing in a mystery is usually a clue (though I get that it's a tough balance for writers, because if they give readers nothing and there's no a-ha moment to be had). Still, Heath's writing is effortlessly eloquent as always, with some profound thoughts woven into accessible prose.
Read the full review on my website: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
I found it fascinating to be taken back to those early 2020 days, when everyone figured Covid would stay a China problem and then it very much didn't, with Heath drawing on real-life cruise ships stranded as floating petri dishes. I did think the 'who' was a smidge obvious, as a seemingly pointless person or thing in a mystery is usually a clue (though I get that it's a tough balance for writers, because if they give readers nothing and there's no a-ha moment to be had). Still, Heath's writing is effortlessly eloquent as always, with some profound thoughts woven into accessible prose.
Read the full review on my website: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
September 7, 2026
If you’re looking for action, intrigue, mystery and lots of fun along the way, you’ve found it in Choppy Water. Set on a cruise ship at the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, that would provide you with enough drama in itself … but throw in undercover cops, bikie gangs, pirates and some genuinely gory murders and you have an action thriller bound to keep you guessing.
Twists and turns abound; just when you think you have a handle on things, you’ll be blindsided by another rogue wave in Choppy Water.
Don’t expect a realistic plodding along storyline, think more like Die Hard or True Lies. It’s all about the action and as the body count piles up you will be struggling to work out who the bad guys really are.
You may never get on a cruise boat again but you’ll enjoy the ride. Thoroughly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
#ChoppyWater #NetGalley
Twists and turns abound; just when you think you have a handle on things, you’ll be blindsided by another rogue wave in Choppy Water.
Don’t expect a realistic plodding along storyline, think more like Die Hard or True Lies. It’s all about the action and as the body count piles up you will be struggling to work out who the bad guys really are.
You may never get on a cruise boat again but you’ll enjoy the ride. Thoroughly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
#ChoppyWater #NetGalley
August 31, 2026
4 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibe check: Fast, Furious, Action Packed
full review ⬇️
I’m not usually a ‘locked room’ murder mystery kind of gal where the setting is isolated to just a select group.. in this case a cruise ship. But when Jack Heath is the author I make an exception and I’m very glad I did for Choppy Water.
The title alone gave me motion sickness but once I started there was absolutely no slowing down. This was action packed from beginning to end and genuinely impossible to put down.
I was kept guessing with some great twists and plenty of moments where I had absolutely no idea what was coming next. I also learnt a lot about the inner workings of a cruise ship - surprise bonus!
There were a few little “only Tom Cruise would definitely survive this, but would the rest of us?” moments 😂 that pushed the limits of believability but honestly, I was having far too much fun to care.
Fast paced, high stakes and relentlessly entertaining, this feels like the kind of book that could very easily become a series and I can definitely see myself signing up for the next instalment.
A big thank you to Allen and Unwin and NetGalley for the sneak peek with a side of seasickness.
Vibe check: Fast, Furious, Action Packed
full review ⬇️
I’m not usually a ‘locked room’ murder mystery kind of gal where the setting is isolated to just a select group.. in this case a cruise ship. But when Jack Heath is the author I make an exception and I’m very glad I did for Choppy Water.
The title alone gave me motion sickness but once I started there was absolutely no slowing down. This was action packed from beginning to end and genuinely impossible to put down.
I was kept guessing with some great twists and plenty of moments where I had absolutely no idea what was coming next. I also learnt a lot about the inner workings of a cruise ship - surprise bonus!
There were a few little “only Tom Cruise would definitely survive this, but would the rest of us?” moments 😂 that pushed the limits of believability but honestly, I was having far too much fun to care.
Fast paced, high stakes and relentlessly entertaining, this feels like the kind of book that could very easily become a series and I can definitely see myself signing up for the next instalment.
A big thank you to Allen and Unwin and NetGalley for the sneak peek with a side of seasickness.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
You always know that a Jack Heath book is going to be entertaining. This one has its fair share of questionable characters, gory murders and implausible situations. What more could you want?
This story takes place on a cruise ship during the time of Covid. A body is found and questions begin to arise. The ship is stranded at sea, refused entry into any port, because there are cases of ‘flu’ on board. A former undercover cop, himself in hiding, is attempting to investigate what happened to the dead woman, and the situation goes from bad to worse as the body count rises and awkward questions are being asked.
This is an entertaining book, as is usual for Jack Heath. Enjoy it without taking it all too seriously.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley
This story takes place on a cruise ship during the time of Covid. A body is found and questions begin to arise. The ship is stranded at sea, refused entry into any port, because there are cases of ‘flu’ on board. A former undercover cop, himself in hiding, is attempting to investigate what happened to the dead woman, and the situation goes from bad to worse as the body count rises and awkward questions are being asked.
This is an entertaining book, as is usual for Jack Heath. Enjoy it without taking it all too seriously.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
✨️Choppy Water by Jack Heath✨️
Release Date - 3/11/2026
Set in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Choppy Water is a tense and fast-paced adventure that brings together mystery, danger and survival in a way that kept me turning the pages.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere in this one. There’s a constant feeling of uncertainty, and the setting adds an extra layer of tension to everything happening. The survival elements, secrets and high-stakes moments made this such an engaging read.
A thrilling adventure with plenty of suspense, clever problem-solving and moments that had me wondering what was going to happen next!
Thank you to @jackheathwriter & @allenandunwinnz for a gifted copy.
🏷 Bookstagram • Choppy Water • Jack Heath • Allen & Unwin • Gifted Copy
Release Date - 3/11/2026
Set in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Choppy Water is a tense and fast-paced adventure that brings together mystery, danger and survival in a way that kept me turning the pages.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere in this one. There’s a constant feeling of uncertainty, and the setting adds an extra layer of tension to everything happening. The survival elements, secrets and high-stakes moments made this such an engaging read.
A thrilling adventure with plenty of suspense, clever problem-solving and moments that had me wondering what was going to happen next!
Thank you to @jackheathwriter & @allenandunwinnz for a gifted copy.
🏷 Bookstagram • Choppy Water • Jack Heath • Allen & Unwin • Gifted Copy
November 2, 2026
This was a fast paced thriller set on a cruise ship during the outbreak of COVID that will keep you guessing with its twists and turns! Although I couldn’t connect to any of the characters, (they were all shady in some way, shape or form), it was still an entertaining read. Plus I liked getting a peek at the inner workings of a cruise ship and what goes on behind the scenes.
While I had no plans to go cruising anytime soon after my one experience that led to almost a week of being seasick, this however sealed the deal lol. If you don’t need your thriller to be realistic, like them with a side of bikie gangs, forgery, stolen identity, being on the run, locked up, and accidental deaths, then this is for you.
While I had no plans to go cruising anytime soon after my one experience that led to almost a week of being seasick, this however sealed the deal lol. If you don’t need your thriller to be realistic, like them with a side of bikie gangs, forgery, stolen identity, being on the run, locked up, and accidental deaths, then this is for you.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🌟🌟🌟💫 – I really liked this.
What I liked: Jack Heath’s writing is engaging. I was so into the mystery presented in this book, all the twists and turns. I enjoyed the pace of the story. The setting was fun, and terrifying.
SPOILERS START
What I didn’t like: Given how heavily injured Cesar was in his last 24 hours on the ship, I honestly don’t think he could’ve done half the stuff he did. Even accounting for adrenaline and will to live.
SPOILERS END
If you’re carrying trauma and resentment for the way the world worked during the Covid pandemic, maybe avoid this book.
Disclaimer: I was not incentivised to read or review. Thank you to Jack Heath, Allen & Unwin, and NetGalley for the ARC.
What I liked: Jack Heath’s writing is engaging. I was so into the mystery presented in this book, all the twists and turns. I enjoyed the pace of the story. The setting was fun, and terrifying.
SPOILERS START
What I didn’t like: Given how heavily injured Cesar was in his last 24 hours on the ship, I honestly don’t think he could’ve done half the stuff he did. Even accounting for adrenaline and will to live.
SPOILERS END
If you’re carrying trauma and resentment for the way the world worked during the Covid pandemic, maybe avoid this book.
Disclaimer: I was not incentivised to read or review. Thank you to Jack Heath, Allen & Unwin, and NetGalley for the ARC.
November 8, 2026
This was ok - particularly the first 2/3 I enjoyed.
I found the ending to be way too intricate and hard to follow - lots of gunshots and explanations of people flying around rooms etc. otherwise a pretty good read. Anything on a cruise ship is a winner!
I found the ending to be way too intricate and hard to follow - lots of gunshots and explanations of people flying around rooms etc. otherwise a pretty good read. Anything on a cruise ship is a winner!
November 13, 2026
Busy adventure, likeable main character. Bit over the top.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of the Advanced Readers Copy provided by Netgalley
Jack Heath books feel like you are running without stopping, panting, trying to achieve goals! This was another thriller that was done so well, so fast-paced that I could not put it down. I have not read much books surrounding the pandemic mainly because it felt too close to home and current. But this book made me pass that barrier and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Cesar Cain wants to live a life where no one recognises him, he tries to avoid situations, encounters and trouble because if the cops found him, he will be back in a cell. But when a woman dies on the cruise ship he is working, he cannot ignore it and starts to investigate. What he doesn’t realise is that his past and present might collide.
This would definitely be a great movie because it ticks all the boxes of a book/movie to keep you on the edge of the seat!
Jack Heath books feel like you are running without stopping, panting, trying to achieve goals! This was another thriller that was done so well, so fast-paced that I could not put it down. I have not read much books surrounding the pandemic mainly because it felt too close to home and current. But this book made me pass that barrier and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Cesar Cain wants to live a life where no one recognises him, he tries to avoid situations, encounters and trouble because if the cops found him, he will be back in a cell. But when a woman dies on the cruise ship he is working, he cannot ignore it and starts to investigate. What he doesn’t realise is that his past and present might collide.
This would definitely be a great movie because it ticks all the boxes of a book/movie to keep you on the edge of the seat!
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