Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
A dead captain on a luxury yacht leads to a tumultuous seafaring journey . . .

Med student Kenzie Anderson, tired of letting others chart her future, accepts a job as second steward aboard Almost Paradise. But when she finds the captain dead before the charter even begins, her plans seem to capsize.

Jimmy James Gamble senses something vulnerable and slightly naive about Kenzie when he finds her on the docks. Realizing danger may still be lingering close, he uses his hidden skills to earn a place on the charter. But being there causes him to risk everything—especially as more suspicious incidents occur.

As they set out to sea, Kenzie and Jimmy James both wonder if they’re in over their heads. They must figure out how to stop a killer before anyone onboard is hurt . . . otherwise, both their futures might just run aground.

Lantern Beach Mayday is a three book series. Other books in this series are:
Dead Reckoning
Tipping Point

330 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2021

290 people are currently reading
150 people want to read

About the author

Christy Barritt

338 books1,664 followers
Christy Barritt is an author, freelance writer and speaker who lives in Virginia. She’s married to her Prince Charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious—but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado. She’s only won one contest in her life—and her prize was kissing a pig (okay, okay… actually she did win the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery also). Her current claim to fame is showing off her mother, who looks just like former First Lady Barbara Bush
When she’s not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and exploring small, unsuspecting towns where people have no idea how accident prone she is.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
726 (62%)
4 stars
308 (26%)
3 stars
110 (9%)
2 stars
12 (1%)
1 star
9 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
Profile Image for Wade.
750 reviews26 followers
May 24, 2022
“His gut told him that someone wasn’t telling the truth on this boat. The question was, who?”

“Someone once told me that we weren’t put here on this earth to be happy. We were put on earth to make a difference. Sometimes those two things aren’t one and the same.”

“In so many ways, I feel like I’ve run aground just like a boat might.”

Where’s Waldo? Sounds funny but that is the question in this cozy mystery that involves charter boats and a murdered captain. I did enjoy having this one focused on Jimmy James Gamble. In previous Lantern Beach books, he was often on the periphery of shadiness and criminal activity. In this one, though, he is now a good guy and a little boring. Kenzie was a decent character, albeit a little boring as well. I liked how the book mostly took place in a boat and away from Lantern Beach. Christy Barritt mentions Cape Charles, Virginia which isn’t too far from me and sounds like a cool place to visit. I did enjoy the mystery aspect of this one. If you read Christy Barritt in the past, you will see some recycled storylines: men dressed in all black; a chase scene into an alley; someone getting hit in the back of the head and getting knocked out. Since on a boat, at least no one was tied up in an abandoned warehouse.

I might still continue with the series since it is nice light reading that is a good escape.
Profile Image for Marylin.
1,306 reviews45 followers
August 4, 2021
Finally, we get to learn more about Jimmy James. He’s been in the shadows in many of the books based on Lantern Beach. In this story, we get to see his heart and ride along with him as he tries to keep everything safe and afloat.
This story is a bit of a twist from all the other “Lantern Beach” stories because it’s actually not based on the island or actually any island. It’s all on a yacht and boy do things still happen!
Christy Barritt takes her characters on so many adventures. How does she think of all these things? This story has a wave of crimes that just don’t seem to end. I didn’t want to put the book down until I finished it. I really wanted to find out what was happening and who the bad guy was. Wow, what a ride!
Christy Barritt truly is a gifted author, because her books are always so full of interesting adventures, that make it so hard to breathe.
If you LOVE mystery, suspense, action, with a little bit of romance, then you will love this book!
This story will keep you on the edge of your seat until you finish it. Be prepared to not put it down, even to eat or sleep! Now don’t get me wrong, I LOVE THESE BOOKS! If you like twists, and turns, “who done it” stories, then you need to buy this book!
I was given this book by the author which did not influence my review in any way, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Kelly Bridgewater.
1,206 reviews62 followers
August 9, 2021
Run Aground by Christy Barritt is a typical cozy mystery filled with plenty of suspense, lives at risk, romance, and a familiar setting in Lantern Beach. This setting keeps getting bigger and bigger as the story keep moving into different characters all on the same island. While I enjoy Barritt’s writing, I really want to leave Lantern Beach. It has the familiar characters of the police chief of Cassidy, but the other characters really do not make an appearance. It is always new characters with new mysteries. I would move away from this beach since so many different things happen like missing and killed bodies. Overall, Run Aground by Christy Barritt does check off all the requirements, but I really want stories not in Lantern Beach anymore. Or at least take a break.

I received a complimentary copy of Run Aground by Christy Barritt, but the opinions stated are all my own.
Profile Image for Rosalyn.
1,257 reviews33 followers
September 25, 2021
This story starts off with a splash, Kenzie arrives at her new job aboard a yacht and discovers a dead body.
This story is a fun rather light and easy mystery.
I enjoyed following along with Kenzie and Jimmy James as they tried to solve the murder.
There is danger, action, and of course some romance mixed in.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
2,355 reviews164 followers
September 17, 2021
"A man lay on the floor in front of her, blood covering the chest of his white uniform. . . . . . It was Captain Bridgemore."

What a way to begin a potential new career path, discovering the captain of a luxurious yacht, the "Almost Paradise", murdered on the deck. Former med student Kenzie Anderson had certainly not figured that into her plans, nor had she imagined meeting a man like Jimmie James Gamble who came to her rescue not once, but twice in twenty-four hours no less; a Lantern Beach resident with a lot of sea-faring experience, but in spite of his kind, heroic nature wielded a questionable past.

Surprisingly, after the local police cleared the crime scene, the boat's owner granted Jimmie James captainship of the cruise. Unfortunately, instead of clear sailing, Kenzie and Jimmie James find themselves "running aground".

What a good book! Great characters, who instantly connect in ways they never anticipated, alongside wily criminals whose identities remain hidden until the very end. It was wonderful to stretch Jimmy James' persona into a story of his own, for he has been a enigmatic minor character through-out the entire Lantern Beach series. Let the "mayday" continue!
Profile Image for Mary Hake.
Author 4 books414 followers
August 4, 2021
This new series starter features a lesser-known Lantern Beach native in a new light and starts off with a deadly situation when newbie Kenzie Anderson comes aboard. Despite Jimmy James’ past bad-boy persona, the two form a team to try to find out who’s behind the murder and just what is going on with the superyacht and those onboard. The tension and suspense don’t let up and keep readers guessing as to who is behind the crimes. And the quirky passengers make this fun to read I love Lantern Beach and am so glad to see more set in this compelling location. Don’t miss this cozy mystery from a popular author. I received a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
265 reviews8 followers
October 18, 2021
I have thoroughly enjoyed Christy Barritt’s Squeaky Clean Mysteries, as her engaging crime scene cleaner/wannabe forensic investigator Gabby St. Clair worked through her career and her love for the kindly neighbor lawyer, coming into faith. I also enjoyed her development of characters in the Lantern Beach series. The mysteries were engaging fast reads. When I saw this new title, I wanted to read it.

Again, Christy created a young woman in trouble, needing rescue, but seeking to work through her challenges herself. She drew in her characters from the Lantern Beach series, setting this in the same place, but with a different focus. I enjoy her mysteries, not really sure who the culprit might be until the end.

The text hinted at a spiritual change in Jimmy James, creating new purpose and a determination to be righteous in the formerly shady character. His ship steward, lovely young Mackenzie Anderson, throws up a quick prayer now and then when she can think of nothing else to do. With that groundwork laid, I am wondering if Ms Barritt will develop the faith theme in her coming mysteries in the series, and if her characters will grow into spiritual strength and trust in Christ.
1,041 reviews11 followers
August 9, 2021
Almost paradise

Kenzie Anderson drops out of med school to be a steward on board a yacht, Almost Paradise. When the captain is murdered, Jimmy James Gamble is hired to captain the charter. Strange things start to happen immediately, causing suspicion of other crew members and charter guests as well. I never dreamed that Jimmy James would turn up as a hero after all the run-ins he had with the law in the early books. Now he has cleaned up his act and passed the Coast Guard's course for captaining charter boats. He never expected to hire right onto a $30 million yacht! But there's trouble afoot and he has to figure out who is at the root of it. Kenzie proves to be a valuable asset. Can't wait for the second in this new Lantern Beach series. And I can't help but hope it some point Jimmy James gets his name changed to JJ. (Jimmy is the diminutive of James--what were his parents thinking??)
Profile Image for Holly.
708 reviews21 followers
August 23, 2021
Jimmy James has made several appearance throughout our time in Lantern Beach, but in this series he's taking center stage and he's amazing!

This series also introduces us to Kenzi Anderson, med school drop out looking to make significant changes in her life. She did expect to find the dead body of her new captain on her first day. But from the opening pages the action never stops.

If you're familiar with the Lantern Beach group you'll enjoy this story with new characters and of course, where there's a murder there's Chief Cassidy Chambers.

The story was full of action and engaging. I also wasn't able to figure out who was behind it until the reveal. Which was okay I enjoyed the ride and am looking forward to what's next for Kenzi and Jimmy James.

Disclaimer: I did receive this book from the author, but was under no obligation to provide a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
195 reviews5 followers
August 30, 2021
Kenzie is a med student who feels tugged in a different direction and feels pushed out of her dad's life by her stepmom, so she takes a job on a charter yacht sailing out of Lantern Beach on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Jimmy James, a background character from earlier Lantern Beach Mysteries (but you do not have to have read earlier series to feel caught up on this one), is working at the docks where he finds Kenzie right after she has discovered a dead body -- the captain of the luxury yacht! The yacht owner hires Jommy James to captain the yacht, but the troubles don't end there. Suspicious abound, trouble follows them onto the high seas, and both their lives are in danger as they work to solve the murder. I look forward to the next two books in this three book series.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Ashley.
1,176 reviews45 followers
August 25, 2021
Run Aground was another quick and enjoyable mystery from Christy Barritt. I was so excited that this story featured longtime Lantern Beach resident Jimmy James. In previous books, he was always in the background but, for me, he stole the scene every time he showed up on the page. I was intrigued by him and his mysterious aura, so I loved getting to know him better in this book.

I will say that this was a bit of a slower-paced story with not as much action, but it still moved along at a nice pace. I was very invested in the mystery. There were quite a few viable suspects, and just when I thought I had it figured out, it took an unexpected turn that surprised me. All in all, I really enjoyed it. I'm definitely looking forward to book two.
1,428 reviews12 followers
August 7, 2021
I had an Advance Readers Copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Christy Barritt has written a great book as the start of this new Lantern Beach related series. Jimmy James Gamble becomes Captain of a charter cruise after the original captain is murdered. Wanting a different path for her live, Kenzie has left medical school against the advice of her parents to become a steward on the same charter cruise. Mishaps and mayhem continue to plague the trip making for an interesting plot.
Profile Image for Robyn Seitzler.
216 reviews6 followers
August 7, 2021
Great Start to a New Series

How fun to meet a new gal! Kenzie is a fish out of water on this yacht trip, but she finds she must learn to breathe quickly - or die! And Jimmy James, I’m so happy to get to know him better! Yep, I’ve read all the Lantern Beach series, so some folks seem like old friends, but even if this is your first Christy Barritt book, you’ll get your sea legs in no time! Good clean fun with suspense thrown in, and, is that a bit of romance I smell in the air? Enjoy!
Profile Image for Kevin.
802 reviews20 followers
August 9, 2021
Luxury charter cruise becomes cruise of deception

Kenzie Anderson signs on as a ship's steward on ALMOST PARADISE, a yacht charter out of Lantern Beach. While she's made plans to decide if being a stew is the life she wants to lead, she doesn't plan on discovering the body of the captain, who's been murdered.

Lantern Beach regular Jimmy James Gamble takes on a co-starring role in this mystery that finds Jimmy James and Kenzie working together to uncover the truth about what's going on.

A pleasant way to spend a few hours reading.
Profile Image for Jan L.
1,002 reviews22 followers
August 15, 2021
Run Aground

Jimmy James has been a shadow figure in the Lantern Beach series , with actions that let you know he's a good guy trying to change from his past. He's the go to guy when the police need tips about what is going on at the dock and marina. Now we get to know the man and his new love interest, Kenzie, another troubled soul hoping to work as a steward on a yacht for the summer. Danger surrounds them along with quirky passengers and a not so trustworthy crew. Looking forward to the upcoming book in this series.
144 reviews
August 2, 2022
This book, Run Aground, is the first in the Lantern Beach Mayday series. I love the main character, Kenzie. I love how she has decided to live her life the way she wants and not allow family and money to influence her decisions. She chooses to pursue an occupation that makes her happy and has to fight particularly with her father about this decision. I love the beginning touch of romance with Kenzie and Jimmy James. The mystery around the death of the captain in the beginning of the story, sets the pace and excitement for the remainder of the book. I couldn’t put this book down. Great read!
Profile Image for Debbie.
283 reviews12 followers
August 4, 2021
Welcome back to Lantern Beach! Secrets abound when a new charter ship has a murder - even before it sails! A "bad boy" captain, a soon-to-be med student, a YouTube sensation, and assorted other characters bring secrets, mystery and lots of suspense as the "Almost Paradise" sets sail toward danger. Another great book by Barritt that you don't want to miss. I received an advance copy from the author but all opinions are my own.
13 reviews
August 8, 2021
So ready for the stories to continue

With any good book, anxious as I am to see how things wind up, I hate to lose touch with characters and a place I've come to know. Christy Barritt builds such great characters and plots in all her books - it's good to meet up with Jimmy James again and see him develop so differently and belivably. Can't wait for Book 2 in the Mayday series to see what happens next with him and Kinzie.
222 reviews1 follower
August 30, 2021
A New Lantern Beach Mystery

Christy Barritt keeps going with her mysteries out of Lantern Beach, NC. Why is the captain of a $30,000,000 yacht dead? Kenzie finds the body, and isn't quite sure she will take the steward's position on this charter. Jimmy James would like to be the replacement for the dead captain. Barritt keeps the thriller going along with some romance of opposites attract.
Profile Image for Mary Johns.
Author 5 books257 followers
September 1, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book of this new series in Lantern Beach. Loved Jimmy James, a former ne'er do well, getting to have his own story--maybe even a whole series. Kenzie is believable as a med student suddenly finding that's not what she wants to do with her life. Love the ship and sea setting. Mystery. Danger. Suspense. A fresh, new romance. What's not to love? Already downloaded the second book and looking forward to the third.
452 reviews17 followers
December 22, 2021
Another good book in the Lantern Beach universe. I really enjoyed getting to know more about Jimmy James who appears as a side character in several of the other Lantern Beach books. Christy Barritt writes good, clean, easy-to-read suspense and does a great job of leaving you guessing who the culprit is. Immediately picking up the next book in the series to find out more about Kenzie and Jimmy James. Is the trouble really gone for good?
Profile Image for Kim.
717 reviews14 followers
August 4, 2021
What a fantastic start to this unique suspense trilogy from Christy Barritt with a luxury charter yacht and crew docking at Lantern Beach. This new series should be on your To Read list for an enjoyable end of summer. I'm looking forward to the next edition.

I received a complimentary copy of the book without obligation. This review is my opinion.
762 reviews4 followers
August 5, 2021
Kenzie, Jimmy James, Sunni

Just to list a few, commander, crew………. What an excellent book with multiple shady characters and the “Good Guys”. One being able to be the admiral after saving money to be certified. Would it all be for naught with a killer on board? Need to read it as soon as you can. Awesome book Christy.
827 reviews3 followers
August 8, 2021
Surprising

A minor romance, murder, drugs and terror made for a great read. Was surprised by the guilty person as had fingered another suspect. Jimmy James came into his own in this book with a remarkable transformation only God can provide. Looking forward to the next book in series.
65 reviews1 follower
August 16, 2021
Mystery at Sea

The author once again doesn’t disappoint. She does not cross the divide where crimes of nightmares are made and stays smack dab in a good mystery where good triumphs over evil, real who-done-its. A chartered yacht captain is murdered, and a cocaine trafficking ring holds the crew and guests held hostage.
Profile Image for Faith Posten.
313 reviews11 followers
August 27, 2021
A Bizarre Cruise

Another wild adventure from the pen of author Christy Barritt. Evie wants to find her own way. Jimmy James wants to protect Evie Anderson. When Evie arrives first on the yacht, she finds a murdered captain. After the police release the yacht for the cruise, mayhem follows them from the beginning to the very end!
180 reviews6 followers
September 7, 2021
Intense

Christy Barrier has another winner in Run Aground. Suspense on board a ship with more questions than answers will hold the reader's attention. Who is behind the problems that keep Jimmy James and Kenzie on edge? There are a couple of twists to keep the reader guessing! Great blend of suspense, hope, romance and faith.
Profile Image for Kara.
812 reviews
December 7, 2021
Another good and clean mystery from Barritt with a nice cameo from Chief Cassidy. Had NO idea who the culprit was and there was constant mishaps going on each chapter that were really well written. Also SO appreciated the sweet romance with Jimmy James and Kenzie. I didn't connect with the book as much as I wanted to, but still enjoyed it.
35 reviews
January 1, 2022
Favorite author!

Christy Barritt has a twisted and clever wit which I thoroughly enjoy. Her characters have a solidity rarely found in books of this genre. Fascinating storytelling with delightful song and era connections to the 1950's - present day. Thanks for writing honorable stories with tension and excitement Christy.
1,654 reviews11 followers
August 5, 2021
Intrigue on the high seas,

Brilliant new addition to the Lantern Beach franchise with reformed bad boy Jimmy James getting involved in murder and mysterious happenings in board a luxury yacht.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.