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The Concierge
No murder. Nothing underage. No sex without consent. Everything else is for sale aboard the Dionysia.
The most exclusive cruise ship in the world is a floating playground for the ultra-rich, where any fantasy has a price and the Concierge makes sure it's paid. Madalena Santos knows every guest's secrets. She grants every indulgence. And she guards the only three rules that can never be broken: no murder, no one underage, no one without consent.
Then a billionaire charters the whole ship to choose an heir, and packs it with his fractured family and his richest rivals. But Madalena is playing her own game. For thirteen years she's hunted the man who destroyed her. Tonight, she has reason to believe he's aboard.
Then a guest breaks the first rule.
The farther the Dionysia sails from shore, the clearer it becomes: this voyage was never about a will. Someone has been waiting for her. And the reckoning she's chased across half her life is coming early.
Luxury always has a price. Someone's about to pay it.
The most exclusive cruise ship in the world is a floating playground for the ultra-rich, where any fantasy has a price and the Concierge makes sure it's paid. Madalena Santos knows every guest's secrets. She grants every indulgence. And she guards the only three rules that can never be broken: no murder, no one underage, no one without consent.
Then a billionaire charters the whole ship to choose an heir, and packs it with his fractured family and his richest rivals. But Madalena is playing her own game. For thirteen years she's hunted the man who destroyed her. Tonight, she has reason to believe he's aboard.
Then a guest breaks the first rule.
The farther the Dionysia sails from shore, the clearer it becomes: this voyage was never about a will. Someone has been waiting for her. And the reckoning she's chased across half her life is coming early.
Luxury always has a price. Someone's about to pay it.
361 pages, ebook
Expected publication July 28, 2026
About the author
Sean Platt
337 books821 followersSean loves writing books, even more than reading them. He is co-founder of Collective Inkwell and Realm & Sands imprints, writes for children under the name Guy Incognito, and has more than his share of nose.
Together with co-authors David Wright and Johnny B. Truant, Sean has written the series Yesterdays Gone, WhiteSpace, ForNevermore, Available Darkness, Dark Crossings, Unicorn Western, The Beam, Namaste, Robot Proletariat, Cursed, Greens, Space Shuttle, and Everyone Gets Divorced. He also co-wrote the how-to indie book, Write. Publish. Repeat.
With Collective Inkwell
Yesterday's Gone: Post Apocalyptic - LOST by way of The Stand
WhiteSpace: Paranoid thriller on fictitious Hamilton Island
ForNevermore: YA horror that reads nothing like YA Horror
Available Darkness: A new breed of vampire thriller
Dark Crossings: Short stories, killer endings
With 47North
Z 2134: The Walking Dead meets The Hunger Games
Monstrous: Beauty and the Beast meets The Punisher
With Realm & Sands
Unicorn Western: The best story to ever come from a stupid idea
The Beam: Smart sci-fi to make you wonder exactly who we are
Namaste: A revenge thriller like nothing you've ever read
Robot Proletariat: The revolution starts here
Cursed: The old werewolf legend turned upside down
Greens: Retail noir comedy
Space Shuttle: Over the top comedy with all your favorite sci-fi characters
Everyone Gets Divorced: Like "Always Sunny" and "How I Met Your Mother" had a baby on your Kindle
Sean lives in Austin, TX with his wife, daughter, and son.
Follow him on Twitter: http://twitter.com/seanplatt (say hi so he can follow you back!)
Together with co-authors David Wright and Johnny B. Truant, Sean has written the series Yesterdays Gone, WhiteSpace, ForNevermore, Available Darkness, Dark Crossings, Unicorn Western, The Beam, Namaste, Robot Proletariat, Cursed, Greens, Space Shuttle, and Everyone Gets Divorced. He also co-wrote the how-to indie book, Write. Publish. Repeat.
With Collective Inkwell
Yesterday's Gone: Post Apocalyptic - LOST by way of The Stand
WhiteSpace: Paranoid thriller on fictitious Hamilton Island
ForNevermore: YA horror that reads nothing like YA Horror
Available Darkness: A new breed of vampire thriller
Dark Crossings: Short stories, killer endings
With 47North
Z 2134: The Walking Dead meets The Hunger Games
Monstrous: Beauty and the Beast meets The Punisher
With Realm & Sands
Unicorn Western: The best story to ever come from a stupid idea
The Beam: Smart sci-fi to make you wonder exactly who we are
Namaste: A revenge thriller like nothing you've ever read
Robot Proletariat: The revolution starts here
Cursed: The old werewolf legend turned upside down
Greens: Retail noir comedy
Space Shuttle: Over the top comedy with all your favorite sci-fi characters
Everyone Gets Divorced: Like "Always Sunny" and "How I Met Your Mother" had a baby on your Kindle
Sean lives in Austin, TX with his wife, daughter, and son.
Follow him on Twitter: http://twitter.com/seanplatt (say hi so he can follow you back!)
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Sean Platt is back under the mantle of Sterling & Stone publishing. I used to read his books co-written with David Wright several years ago. I enjoyed a lot of their serial styled series like “White Space’, “Available Darkness”, “Karma Police” and their most popular end of the world sci-fi thriller “Tomorrow’s Gone”.
So, when I was offered an advanced reader’s copy of his new novel “The Concierge” in exchange for a timely and honest review.
“The Concierge” involves an interesting one. A cross between the reality TV show “Below” and a very wicked twist of the popular HBO series “Succession”. It is the story of the crew of the most exclusive private cruise ship in the world – the Dionysia – named after a major ancient Greek festival held in honor of the god Dionysus. The concierge, Madela Santos, and her crew operate under a very different set of rules, benefiting the rich and powerful willing to pay for their unique services. Those amenities include pretty much any indulgence with the only exceptions being no murder, no underage activities of any kind, and no activities without consent. Those requirements can never be broken in any way.
When the novel begins, a billionaire, one of the richest in the world has chartered the entire ship for a cruise with his family, friends, business rivals, and a group of orphaned children being given the vacation of a lifetime. He’s also convinced the cruise ship’s owner (by paying him a lot of money) that he is in control of everything that’s happening onboard and the crew must step back, let him direct activities, and not step in to stop him under any circumstances unless one of the three rules are broken.
The crew were told that the cruise was intended to be a birthday celebration for the billionaire, but it doesn’t take long after heading out that he has other plans. He appears to be using the trip to choose an heir for his business empire and other investments, and the process in doing that includes harsh treatment, misleading activities, and shocking surprises. It doesn’t take long before the games turn illicit, criminal, and deadly…
The good news is this was an easy and pleasurable three evening read that reminded me in several ways of why I enjoyed Platt’s creative plotting and interesting writing style. It was the creative and fast-paced thriller that provided me with enjoyable fun. Platt adheres to the James Patterson brisk pace of plotting, constantly pushing the plot forward with multiple storylines, points of view, and pretty much every character keeping a secret. He also focuses a lot of his commentary on the excessive spoils and power of the ultra-rich, mostly through unlimited descriptions of their clothes, food, and drinks.
The premise was interesting and pulls you in pretty much immediately, even though there were a lot of characters introduced during the first thirty to forty pages. Remembering who everyone was and how they were related was a little challenging and took some time; however, once you get further along it was easier to understand each one, their family connection, and their personalities.
The funny thing was that pretty much everyone had some kind of secret that they are trying so incredibly hard to hide. One of those centered on Madela, who has been carrying a very emotionally disturbing experience from the past and is now on a hunt for personal revenge and resolution at almost any cost. It was this storyline along with multiple mysteries involving the billionaire’s family that kept me connected. Platt’s storytelling and pacing was on display in this one. The story kept moving along at a fast and the ante kept rising throughout the book. There were family secrets, everchanging alliances, jealousies and backstabbing (although there was just as much face to face), red herrings, and increasing stakes throughout – all resulting in a potboiling guilty pleasure.
At the same time, if you are familiar with reading Sean Platt (and his novels with David Wright), you know that he primarily writes books that go together in a series, rather than stand-alone. When I first got this book and read the cover, it sounded much like a stand-alone novel, and not a series. However, that turned out to not be the case. It became apparent fairly quickly that there were plenty of plot threads that were not going to be wrapped up by the end of this one. Halfway through the book, I was even able to project with pretty good precision how far Platt was going to go with revealing the first parts of what appears to be ongoing multi-book arcs.
The good news is that being familiar with his books, you could see it coming. The bad news is that I would rather it have been advertised as the first book in a new series. That wouldn’t have changed my interest in reading it at all and would also have served to let the unanswered questions at the end be easier to accept without feeling a bit of disappointment.
Still, overall, this was compelling and good enough for me to want to read the next book in this new series. I am invested in what happens next in Madalena’s hunt for revenge and will be coming back for the next one, and that is what matters most.
Keep them coming, Sean! Good to have you back. We definitely missed you…
So, when I was offered an advanced reader’s copy of his new novel “The Concierge” in exchange for a timely and honest review.
“The Concierge” involves an interesting one. A cross between the reality TV show “Below” and a very wicked twist of the popular HBO series “Succession”. It is the story of the crew of the most exclusive private cruise ship in the world – the Dionysia – named after a major ancient Greek festival held in honor of the god Dionysus. The concierge, Madela Santos, and her crew operate under a very different set of rules, benefiting the rich and powerful willing to pay for their unique services. Those amenities include pretty much any indulgence with the only exceptions being no murder, no underage activities of any kind, and no activities without consent. Those requirements can never be broken in any way.
When the novel begins, a billionaire, one of the richest in the world has chartered the entire ship for a cruise with his family, friends, business rivals, and a group of orphaned children being given the vacation of a lifetime. He’s also convinced the cruise ship’s owner (by paying him a lot of money) that he is in control of everything that’s happening onboard and the crew must step back, let him direct activities, and not step in to stop him under any circumstances unless one of the three rules are broken.
The crew were told that the cruise was intended to be a birthday celebration for the billionaire, but it doesn’t take long after heading out that he has other plans. He appears to be using the trip to choose an heir for his business empire and other investments, and the process in doing that includes harsh treatment, misleading activities, and shocking surprises. It doesn’t take long before the games turn illicit, criminal, and deadly…
The good news is this was an easy and pleasurable three evening read that reminded me in several ways of why I enjoyed Platt’s creative plotting and interesting writing style. It was the creative and fast-paced thriller that provided me with enjoyable fun. Platt adheres to the James Patterson brisk pace of plotting, constantly pushing the plot forward with multiple storylines, points of view, and pretty much every character keeping a secret. He also focuses a lot of his commentary on the excessive spoils and power of the ultra-rich, mostly through unlimited descriptions of their clothes, food, and drinks.
The premise was interesting and pulls you in pretty much immediately, even though there were a lot of characters introduced during the first thirty to forty pages. Remembering who everyone was and how they were related was a little challenging and took some time; however, once you get further along it was easier to understand each one, their family connection, and their personalities.
The funny thing was that pretty much everyone had some kind of secret that they are trying so incredibly hard to hide. One of those centered on Madela, who has been carrying a very emotionally disturbing experience from the past and is now on a hunt for personal revenge and resolution at almost any cost. It was this storyline along with multiple mysteries involving the billionaire’s family that kept me connected. Platt’s storytelling and pacing was on display in this one. The story kept moving along at a fast and the ante kept rising throughout the book. There were family secrets, everchanging alliances, jealousies and backstabbing (although there was just as much face to face), red herrings, and increasing stakes throughout – all resulting in a potboiling guilty pleasure.
At the same time, if you are familiar with reading Sean Platt (and his novels with David Wright), you know that he primarily writes books that go together in a series, rather than stand-alone. When I first got this book and read the cover, it sounded much like a stand-alone novel, and not a series. However, that turned out to not be the case. It became apparent fairly quickly that there were plenty of plot threads that were not going to be wrapped up by the end of this one. Halfway through the book, I was even able to project with pretty good precision how far Platt was going to go with revealing the first parts of what appears to be ongoing multi-book arcs.
The good news is that being familiar with his books, you could see it coming. The bad news is that I would rather it have been advertised as the first book in a new series. That wouldn’t have changed my interest in reading it at all and would also have served to let the unanswered questions at the end be easier to accept without feeling a bit of disappointment.
Still, overall, this was compelling and good enough for me to want to read the next book in this new series. I am invested in what happens next in Madalena’s hunt for revenge and will be coming back for the next one, and that is what matters most.
Keep them coming, Sean! Good to have you back. We definitely missed you…
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Sterling & Stone, and Sean Platt for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy (uncorrected proof) of ‘The Concierge’ in exchange for an honest review.
Madalena works as a concierge aboard a luxurious private ship catering to some of the world’s wealthiest and most influential people. The voyage is hosted by Buford, a celebrated billionaire known for his philanthropy, and includes not only his family and elite inner circle but also a group of orphaned children whom he publicly presents as beneficiaries of his generosity. To the outside world, the voyage appears to be a showcase of wealth, opportunity, and goodwill. Beneath the surface, however, secrets, power struggles, and hidden agendas begin to emerge.
The premise immediately drew me in. A luxury vessel filled with billionaires, heirs, business rivals, and influential guests creates the perfect setting for a suspenseful thriller. The story explores the excesses of extreme wealth, the ways power can shield people from consequences, and the complex relationships that exist within elite circles.
One challenge early on was the large cast of characters. The novel introduces many people in quick succession, and it took some time to keep track of everyone. However, by roughly a third of the way through the book, the characters began to distinguish themselves more clearly, and their individual personalities and motivations became easier to follow. The members of the Buford family, in particular, were well developed, and most of the supporting characters contributed meaningfully to the unfolding story.
What kept me invested was the combination of personal stakes and larger mysteries. Madalena is more than an observer; she carries her own past, her own motivations, and her own reasons for remaining in this world of privilege and secrecy. As events unfold aboard the ship, layers of deception are gradually peeled back, revealing a much darker reality than the one presented to the public.
The pacing is one of the book’s greatest strengths. There is always something happening - family conflicts, shifting alliances, hidden motives, and escalating tension. The narrative continually raises questions, encouraging the reader to keep turning pages in search of answers.
I was also particularly impressed by the author’s portrayal of luxury and wealth. It’s one thing to show extravagance visually, but creating that sense of opulence through prose alone is much more difficult. The ship, its amenities, the food, the service, and the lifestyles of its guests all felt vivid and immersive. At the same time, the story effectively contrasts this world with the perspectives of those who work behind the scenes to keep it running.
My only significant criticism concerns the ending. While I enjoyed the journey and found the overall story highly engaging, I felt that several major questions remained unanswered. The conclusion is quite open-ended and feels more like the setup for future installments than a complete standalone resolution. Readers who prefer neatly wrapped endings may find this somewhat frustrating, though those who enjoy ongoing mysteries may appreciate the lingering questions.
Overall, The Concierge is an intriguing, fast-paced thriller with a compelling setting, strong atmosphere, and an engaging protagonist. Despite my reservations about the open-ended conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would be interested in reading a sequel to see where Madalena’s story goes next.
Madalena works as a concierge aboard a luxurious private ship catering to some of the world’s wealthiest and most influential people. The voyage is hosted by Buford, a celebrated billionaire known for his philanthropy, and includes not only his family and elite inner circle but also a group of orphaned children whom he publicly presents as beneficiaries of his generosity. To the outside world, the voyage appears to be a showcase of wealth, opportunity, and goodwill. Beneath the surface, however, secrets, power struggles, and hidden agendas begin to emerge.
The premise immediately drew me in. A luxury vessel filled with billionaires, heirs, business rivals, and influential guests creates the perfect setting for a suspenseful thriller. The story explores the excesses of extreme wealth, the ways power can shield people from consequences, and the complex relationships that exist within elite circles.
One challenge early on was the large cast of characters. The novel introduces many people in quick succession, and it took some time to keep track of everyone. However, by roughly a third of the way through the book, the characters began to distinguish themselves more clearly, and their individual personalities and motivations became easier to follow. The members of the Buford family, in particular, were well developed, and most of the supporting characters contributed meaningfully to the unfolding story.
What kept me invested was the combination of personal stakes and larger mysteries. Madalena is more than an observer; she carries her own past, her own motivations, and her own reasons for remaining in this world of privilege and secrecy. As events unfold aboard the ship, layers of deception are gradually peeled back, revealing a much darker reality than the one presented to the public.
The pacing is one of the book’s greatest strengths. There is always something happening - family conflicts, shifting alliances, hidden motives, and escalating tension. The narrative continually raises questions, encouraging the reader to keep turning pages in search of answers.
I was also particularly impressed by the author’s portrayal of luxury and wealth. It’s one thing to show extravagance visually, but creating that sense of opulence through prose alone is much more difficult. The ship, its amenities, the food, the service, and the lifestyles of its guests all felt vivid and immersive. At the same time, the story effectively contrasts this world with the perspectives of those who work behind the scenes to keep it running.
My only significant criticism concerns the ending. While I enjoyed the journey and found the overall story highly engaging, I felt that several major questions remained unanswered. The conclusion is quite open-ended and feels more like the setup for future installments than a complete standalone resolution. Readers who prefer neatly wrapped endings may find this somewhat frustrating, though those who enjoy ongoing mysteries may appreciate the lingering questions.
Overall, The Concierge is an intriguing, fast-paced thriller with a compelling setting, strong atmosphere, and an engaging protagonist. Despite my reservations about the open-ended conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would be interested in reading a sequel to see where Madalena’s story goes next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"The torture was only beginning."
Readers who loved the twisty, opulent, thriller of The Woman In Cabin 10 will love The Concierge! Try to keep up until the satisfying ending that leaves a sequel on the table!!
The Dionysia has three rules. Three! It would be nice for the concierge, Madalena Santos, if these guests could stop trying to break them all. While every embarkation is a wild ride all its own, this trip isn't adding up for seasoned Madame Madalena who has seen it all. Her unique history and position as master of guest services makes her the especially sensitive and alert to the red flags aboard, making her believe there's something much worse, darker than just secret indulgences, at play. Cast and crew commit crimes and secret identities are revealed. Who survives? Who thrives? When billionaires go out to play under the guise of "the customer is always right", the world is their oyster and no one can stand in their way.
A room is bugged, the ship's technological system is hacked, motivations change as dreams end, rooms are searched, one trashed, as guests continuously push the generosity and limits aboard, keys are stolen, a women is attacked, and that's all before the first show drops! This fast paced, action backed book will pull you in, making you question everyone's motives and your own conclusions!
The cast of characters is long, so here's a cheat sheet:
Crew:
Madalana Santos: Concierge, used to ultimate control and power regarding guests
Jorge: Captain, adores Madalana
Manny: Cruise Director
Ajax: Head of Security
Nigel White: Head Butler
Kostas: Executive Chef
Gabriel: Concierge Coordinator, Madalena's assistant
Eva: Head of Housekeeping
Vivienne: Room Steward
Nadia: Dionysia's Madame, head of "comfort"
Omar: Everyone's boss, not on board
Guests:
Clarence Buford: Billionaire CEO and birthday boy, bankrolling this trip, he's the head hauncho, even above the ship's crew.
Sylvia: Clarence's current wife, will sleep in a separate cabin
Patty: youngest granddaughter, blonde, the most successful offspring.
Arthur: Patty's father, son of Clarence, 50's.
Jackie: granddaughter, cares about her appearance more than almost anything else.
Benjamin: Teenager, Jackie's son from second marriage.
Randall: Clarence's youngest son, gambled millions, arguably the problem child.
Helen: Clarence's beloved elderly and obese sister. Cane, bulldog jowls, stooped.
Dinesh Kharti: 30's, Indian, dressed comfortably. A billionaire from Indian internet enterprises.
Hana lee: 30's, corporate, Asian, red lipstick.
Azi Kasimi: Late-20's Nigerian man. Dresses sharp.
Quentin bester: "white cool guy", billionaire philanthropist. Oil money.
9 teenage orphans from Clarence's charity program
Michael Payne: Clarence's lawyer.
Basil Anastos: Greek crime syndicate associate, Randall's FU to his dad.
Troupes: opulent yacht, billionaire inheritance at play, red herrings, us v. them, closer circle, isolated locale, shadowy secret society, ticking clock, villainous victim, big reveal
Spice: 1/5 🌶️
Gore: 2/5 🩸
Language: 3/5 👀
Triggers: death, kidnapping, child abuse, child trafficking
Thank you to Sterling & Stone and NetGalley for this ARC!
Readers who loved the twisty, opulent, thriller of The Woman In Cabin 10 will love The Concierge! Try to keep up until the satisfying ending that leaves a sequel on the table!!
The Dionysia has three rules. Three! It would be nice for the concierge, Madalena Santos, if these guests could stop trying to break them all. While every embarkation is a wild ride all its own, this trip isn't adding up for seasoned Madame Madalena who has seen it all. Her unique history and position as master of guest services makes her the especially sensitive and alert to the red flags aboard, making her believe there's something much worse, darker than just secret indulgences, at play. Cast and crew commit crimes and secret identities are revealed. Who survives? Who thrives? When billionaires go out to play under the guise of "the customer is always right", the world is their oyster and no one can stand in their way.
A room is bugged, the ship's technological system is hacked, motivations change as dreams end, rooms are searched, one trashed, as guests continuously push the generosity and limits aboard, keys are stolen, a women is attacked, and that's all before the first show drops! This fast paced, action backed book will pull you in, making you question everyone's motives and your own conclusions!
The cast of characters is long, so here's a cheat sheet:
Crew:
Madalana Santos: Concierge, used to ultimate control and power regarding guests
Jorge: Captain, adores Madalana
Manny: Cruise Director
Ajax: Head of Security
Nigel White: Head Butler
Kostas: Executive Chef
Gabriel: Concierge Coordinator, Madalena's assistant
Eva: Head of Housekeeping
Vivienne: Room Steward
Nadia: Dionysia's Madame, head of "comfort"
Omar: Everyone's boss, not on board
Guests:
Clarence Buford: Billionaire CEO and birthday boy, bankrolling this trip, he's the head hauncho, even above the ship's crew.
Sylvia: Clarence's current wife, will sleep in a separate cabin
Patty: youngest granddaughter, blonde, the most successful offspring.
Arthur: Patty's father, son of Clarence, 50's.
Jackie: granddaughter, cares about her appearance more than almost anything else.
Benjamin: Teenager, Jackie's son from second marriage.
Randall: Clarence's youngest son, gambled millions, arguably the problem child.
Helen: Clarence's beloved elderly and obese sister. Cane, bulldog jowls, stooped.
Dinesh Kharti: 30's, Indian, dressed comfortably. A billionaire from Indian internet enterprises.
Hana lee: 30's, corporate, Asian, red lipstick.
Azi Kasimi: Late-20's Nigerian man. Dresses sharp.
Quentin bester: "white cool guy", billionaire philanthropist. Oil money.
9 teenage orphans from Clarence's charity program
Michael Payne: Clarence's lawyer.
Basil Anastos: Greek crime syndicate associate, Randall's FU to his dad.
Troupes: opulent yacht, billionaire inheritance at play, red herrings, us v. them, closer circle, isolated locale, shadowy secret society, ticking clock, villainous victim, big reveal
Spice: 1/5 🌶️
Gore: 2/5 🩸
Language: 3/5 👀
Triggers: death, kidnapping, child abuse, child trafficking
Thank you to Sterling & Stone and NetGalley for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I gotta say, the premise of this really drew me in. An exclusive boat filled with every extravagance and luxury, and only three rules for their guests: no murder, no minors, no non-consensual encounters. Add in the hints that there may be more going on than meets the eye, and someone broke the rules?? I’m in! 🙌
Sadly though, it didn’t quite deliver for me. There were too many characters which felt confusing, especially at first, and none of them ever felt fully developed to me. Or like I had jumped in to the second book in the series and was expected to already KNOW the characters better.
I also didn’t love the MC, or that the author kept flip flopping between calling her by name and referring to her as the “the concierge..” many times, in the same paragraph like it was two different people.
In general, there was just a little too much going on overall, and felt like “so this happened” and “then this happened” and “now this is happening….” Meaning, I guess, it didn’t feel like it flowed naturally to me. Events were listed one after another, and it felt like I kept waiting to see what would happen but just couldn’t get there at that right pacing.
I was also disappointed it didn’t have a solid, conclusive ending. There were too many loose ends left unconcluded, with lots of unanswered questions. This book was clearly set up for a sequel, which is fine, but I wish I had known ahead of time..even though I still woulda read it, at least I would have been better prepared. ;)
But hey, I was entertained, and there were things I didn’t see coming, so overall, I’d say it was worth my time.
I am always so grateful to be approved for an ARC, and very appreciative of all the hard work that went into this book. Thank you so much, NetGalley, author, and publisher for the opportunity to read your book!!
*trigger warning: underage human trafficking…I definitely didn’t love any references to this, a little too icky for me.
Sadly though, it didn’t quite deliver for me. There were too many characters which felt confusing, especially at first, and none of them ever felt fully developed to me. Or like I had jumped in to the second book in the series and was expected to already KNOW the characters better.
I also didn’t love the MC, or that the author kept flip flopping between calling her by name and referring to her as the “the concierge..” many times, in the same paragraph like it was two different people.
In general, there was just a little too much going on overall, and felt like “so this happened” and “then this happened” and “now this is happening….” Meaning, I guess, it didn’t feel like it flowed naturally to me. Events were listed one after another, and it felt like I kept waiting to see what would happen but just couldn’t get there at that right pacing.
I was also disappointed it didn’t have a solid, conclusive ending. There were too many loose ends left unconcluded, with lots of unanswered questions. This book was clearly set up for a sequel, which is fine, but I wish I had known ahead of time..even though I still woulda read it, at least I would have been better prepared. ;)
But hey, I was entertained, and there were things I didn’t see coming, so overall, I’d say it was worth my time.
I am always so grateful to be approved for an ARC, and very appreciative of all the hard work that went into this book. Thank you so much, NetGalley, author, and publisher for the opportunity to read your book!!
*trigger warning: underage human trafficking…I definitely didn’t love any references to this, a little too icky for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really loved the premise, and it opens fast and introduces the main characters well. I was a little disappointed though, that it felt like there wasn't as much intrigue in the beginning, and I'd have liked to see more examples of our titular Concierge displaying the kind of exceptional hospitality magic that turns disasters caused by problematic entitled rich guests into non-events or sleight of handed into opportunities.
Later in the book, when we get the big reveal about the masterminded plans, it does get more interesting, I think, but feels less like a story of intrigue and more like an action-y "one good guy versus really terrible bad guys" type story.
I don't regret reading this book, but I do think it's a little confused as to where it wants to focus, and it feels like we're waiting along with the protagonist to "get to the part where she gets to do things". The protagonist herself and the supporting cast are interesting, and I particularly enjoyed their banter with each other.
The thing I enjoyed most though, is the loving descriptions of the luxurious food, so any reader who enjoys food porn is going to like that part of things!
Later in the book, when we get the big reveal about the masterminded plans, it does get more interesting, I think, but feels less like a story of intrigue and more like an action-y "one good guy versus really terrible bad guys" type story.
I don't regret reading this book, but I do think it's a little confused as to where it wants to focus, and it feels like we're waiting along with the protagonist to "get to the part where she gets to do things". The protagonist herself and the supporting cast are interesting, and I particularly enjoyed their banter with each other.
The thing I enjoyed most though, is the loving descriptions of the luxurious food, so any reader who enjoys food porn is going to like that part of things!
Did Not Finish
July 26, 2026I DNF’ed at chapter 16. The premise was interesting and eye-catching, but the prose and writing style was not what I was expecting. There were too many obvious grammatical and structural errors.
One chapter had an egregious amount of line breaks after each run-on sentence.
One chapter mentioned pilates (the exercise) but tried to use the singular term as a proper noun, writing Pilate (not the singular modifier of pilates, but the first century roman governor).
One chapter has the MC briefly interacting with 2 females who are established earlier as teenagers and orphans. There’s a line where they’re referred to as women, and they talk about an expensive fine dining dish as being better than an “ovation.” Occasional typos are nothing to nitpick over, but when inconsistencies are so plain and frequent, it becomes concerning. I won’t go as far as to say that there was AI influences, so I’ll just say it wasn’t my type of book.
One chapter had an egregious amount of line breaks after each run-on sentence.
One chapter mentioned pilates (the exercise) but tried to use the singular term as a proper noun, writing Pilate (not the singular modifier of pilates, but the first century roman governor).
One chapter has the MC briefly interacting with 2 females who are established earlier as teenagers and orphans. There’s a line where they’re referred to as women, and they talk about an expensive fine dining dish as being better than an “ovation.” Occasional typos are nothing to nitpick over, but when inconsistencies are so plain and frequent, it becomes concerning. I won’t go as far as to say that there was AI influences, so I’ll just say it wasn’t my type of book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Loved this book! Received an advance copy (thank you!). Wasn't sure what it was going to be like but I enjoyed it from cover to cover. I've read other stories from Sean and most of his collaborations with Johnny B. Truant . The story grabs you right from the beginning and is a race to the finish!
I love a good thriller and this checked most boxes for me. It's a different write for him so I was not prepared but it was great until the end (no spoilers but maybe a sequel??)
It was a little bit slow in the middle but picked up afterwards. The characters were all very believable..even the "monsters", and does touch on current events happening now .
All in all, an enjoyable read for a thriller lover like myself. Great job, Sean!!
I love a good thriller and this checked most boxes for me. It's a different write for him so I was not prepared but it was great until the end (no spoilers but maybe a sequel??)
It was a little bit slow in the middle but picked up afterwards. The characters were all very believable..even the "monsters", and does touch on current events happening now .
All in all, an enjoyable read for a thriller lover like myself. Great job, Sean!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book had me hooked from the start and kept me interested the whole way through. I really liked how the story slowly revealed new pieces of the mystery without giving too much away, which made it hard to stop reading. The suspense kept building with every chapter, and I was always curious to see what would happen next. The atmosphere felt dark and tense, and the twists kept me second-guessing my theories. By the end, I was completely invested in the characters and couldn't put the book down. The finale was satisfying and left me thinking about the story even after I finished.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I enjoyed reading this one, but it wasn’t my favorite by Sean Platt. That’s likely because it isn’t one of my preferred genres. It does move along well and the characters are interesting. I thought it was a combination of Succession and White Lotus, so fans of those shows will probably really get into it. I appreciate the author giving me the chance to be a pre-reader on this one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lots of stories happening at once, and as a result it takes a little time for the book to get going. Once it does, so many different levels (appropriate for a ship) an be enjoyed as the reader meets so many people and relationships that it almost takes a roadmap to keep tracking. I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review to come
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