Wow, this was an exceptional book, almost like being on the Escape yourself. Ex Royal Marine, Sarah Is an incredible character, I do hope there will be follow up books featuring her fascinating military skills. The writing was so good that you could almost feel the roll of the waves against the super yacht hull during high seas. I could hardly put it down. I would genuinely like to give it more than five stars if I could. It was a gripping read from start to finish and I praise it unreservedly.

This book was ok, just a steady read. The characters were good and the story was ok but it didnt have me hooked. A very average 3/5

This is one of those unputdownable books! Something of a slow build-up and a mysterious series of events leads to some amazing action sequences towards the end.

Sarah is a tough but traumatised former Royal Marine who takes a seemingly easy job as security on a superyacht. The owners have suddenly ordered the yacht to be taken across the Atlantic before the refit is finished. Things start to go wrong, vital equipment fails and people go missing. Sarah initially keeps her distance from the crew but becomes closer to them as their shared worry turns to fear with each passing incident. Are they unlucky, careless, or is it sabotage? And why?

The pace increases at around the half-way mark and Sarah's expertise as a marine has to kick in. It does go a bit 'James Bond'-ish but is all very dramatic and exciting. I loved the ending.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an early e-copy for review.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. A luxury superyacht. And a killer picking you off, one by one...

I saw a review for this saying it was ‘Agatha Christie meets Die Hard on water,’ and while I agree with this description, it took a bit too long for that action to get going. When it did, it was a nice mixture of action and whodunit type mystery…but it took reading about half the book to get to it.

The protagonist is a strong independent ex-marine, with obvious PTSD symptoms, who we learn about through glimpses of her past. I liked her character overall as a strong lead, however, there were inconsistencies with her character as they story unfolds. Mostly, she’s very thorough, follows up on her job and trusts her gut, which would have served her well in her past training and career. There’s some details I found her brushing over that didn’t align with her character, and this frustrated me at times.

There were many characters, but the author pulled this together well as it was easy to keep track of them. The author created a great sense of claustrophobia and I enjoyed the setting of this thriller. I found once I got to half way through the book it picked up a nice pace and I couldn’t put it down!

I loved this book. The unusual setting of a super yacht in the middle of the Atlantic was a welcome change from the usual settings. It provided an intriguing backdrop to a thriller.

This has a cast of many but somehow I was interested in all the characters and it was easy to keep up with them all.

I found myself taking notes throughout just to try and work out who the murderer was and to try and spot all the clues throughout. It kept me intrigued and guessing until the end.

I really want to see where the main character goes next.

A good thriller set on board a multi million pound super-yacht. An array of characters upstairs and downstairs. The crew are moving the yacht across the Atlantic. Two guests are onboard. Why are people acting out of character and taking crazy risks. Lots of suspects leading to a fast paced thriller with a great story.

Woah! Wow! Wowser! Umm.... let me catch my breathe for a min after finishing that, and I may be able to get some thoughts in order...

.... well first thought is OMG that was flipping awesome. I was completely gripped like I haven't been by book for absolutely ages, it drew me in slowly but once even the first things start to go a bit wrong, I was utterly hooked, and looking forward to my next fix with the book.

... it's rather claustrophobic, there is only really a finite number of suspects and they are all on the journey from hell on a super yacht together. And our hero is an ex-marine who is suffering from panic attacks and flashbacks to her time serving, but yet appears to be the one who what to be the hero.

.. I had absolutely no idea who to trust, nor had I really formulated my own ideas, I was just so enthralled by the writing, and the feeling as though I was onboard with them all, that I didn't get a chance to do anything but be swept away by this fabulous book.

.... I can't believe I've never read this author before, I know it was the superyacht setting that attracted me in the first place, but I'm certainly now curious to see what he will write next. I'm also so impressed with just about every aspect of the book, while also being rather relieved that i didn't read this while on a cruise!

Easily one of the best books I've read so far this year.

Thank you to Michael Joseph and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I like crime genre, but sometimes books get a bit repetitive as formula is followed book after book. I was given this book from @netgalley and it was surprisingly enjoyable.

I think they call it closed circle murder where the group of suspects is limited. This book is set on a luxury super yacht. Author does a lovely job on describing the ship, which adds a bit of glamour to the novel.

My attention was kept the whole way through the book, I did not guess the murderer and genuinely did not understand how they were going to get out of various scenarios.

So a combination of a unique setting, clever story and great pace really makes this a great read.

#AStrangeronBoard #Netgalley #penguinmichaeljospeph

I enjoyed this story about a female ex marine, with ptsd, providing security for the delivery of a super yacht to its owner. She has a major problem when the bodies start to pile up!

This is the most exciting and stressful novel I have read in a long time. Getting over the death of her partner Sarah takes the job of security guard on a large and expensive super yacht. It is a two week maiden voyage across the Atlantic but things go wrong right from the start. Sarah has to decide who she can trust in the crew. Only two customers are on board and except for feeding them and looking after their comfort it should have been an easy job for Sarah and the crew. More and more things go wrong and it appears that at least one person wants to damage the boat and its very expensive cargo and fittings. It becomes a very dangerous job to try and fix problems and work out who is sabotaging the journey. Sarah is ex military services so she can cope with the violence that happens but the reason why is much harder to work out.
When the climax of the story brings out the criminals on board Sarah finally manages to save the remaining crew and the boat its self but she is almost killed in the process. You have to keep on reading. Having a strong female as the main character makes this an exciting and entertaining read. You feel like you are part of the action. I hope that we will see Sarah again in another adventure.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Michael Joseph UK and Cameron Ward for my ARC of A Stranger Onboard in return for my honest review.

This is my first read of Cameron Ward and I intend to find any other novels written by this author as this was superb.

Ex Royal Marine Sarah has left the marines and one of her previous colleagues has set up a security business for yacht charters and deliveries and Sarah takes a job as security on the super yacht Escape which is due to be delivered to its owner in the Caribbean.

There is a skeleton crew onboard along with two VIPS as the Escape leaves harbour. Sarah overhears conversations prior to setting off which disturb her but as soon as the yacht reaches open waters strange things begin to happen and go wrong with the yacht.

Having been a chef on charter yachts I thoroughly enjoyed the crew banter and attitudes to each other as this was so real. The strong female lead, together with the twists and turns together with delving into Sarah’s reasons for leaving the marines made for compelling reading.

Absolutely brilliant and highly recommended.

I didn't know this author, but was attracted to both the cover, title and synopsis of the story. It was fast paced from the start, and I felt empathy with the main character., a former female Navy officer now working as a security person., who is offered a job on a luxury yacht. This transition was obviously due to an tragic incident which. she obviously blames herself for, and which is gradually revealed as we go through the book. I didn't guess the ending and I found myself engrossed throughout. Highly recommended.

This was quite tense, it was a bit slow to start but was worth hanging on to the end. I nearly gave up, but it called me back to just find out what happened next..

A gripping and thrilling read! This story reminded me of the BBC series “vigil” and kept be breathless just as much. Lost at sea on a super yacht with a skeleton crew, Sarah the security detail and ex military has to figure out how to reach the intended destination and what is killing the crew members one by one. A very well written and thought out book which does not disappoint and is definitely worth the read.

When former Marine, Sarah French, is given a security role on the ‘Escape’, she thinks it’s an easy decision and the perfect opportunity to escape her own recent trauma. This book is fast paced and exciting with everyone under suspicion as things on board the luxurious super yacht starts to turn into a nightmare. From infighting and missing crew to operational failures, Sarah soon realises there is more to the mystery crossing that meets the eye. I really enjoyed the pace of this book, and the author’s use of terminology, effortlessly makes the reader believe in Sarah as a former Marine. However, I was confused by the tone as it slides casually from thriller to romantic. It didn’t work for me personally, but I do think the element helps to understand where Sarah is mentally as a character. I would definitely recommend this book for fans of fast-paced thrillers who are looking for a beach read.

Absolutely great thriller, full of suspense. I think this would make an excellent tv drama. It keeps you guessing and you begin to suspect everyone. Definitely worth a read.

Solid 4.75 stars!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and could not wait to finish it!
I must admit, I am a fan of so-called closed room thrillers/mysteries so this book was right up my alley.
The writing was enjoyable, the main character strong, inspiring, yet human and relatable, in my personal opinion.
The set-up was nice, well-described and unusual, the mystery was engaging too, every time I put the book down (life reasons!), I wanted to pick it back up and speed through reading it but also savour it.
I would love to read more from this author, thank you so much for the ARC, NetGalley!

I loved this propulsive thriller set on a billionaire's super yacht. Sarah is an ex-marine suffering from PTSD who takes on a 'simple' job of providing security for the vessel on a routine Atlantic crossing.
Things go wrong from the beginning although there are no obvious culprits. There is a lovely nod to the film Die Hard. In the middle of a horrendous storm, Sarah has to save the ship whilst fending off panic attacks and sabotage.
It's crying out to be made into a film as the action is so much fun.

What a good read.I thoroughly enjoyed the suspense as it built up as the story unfolded. There was only a small number of characters, but they were all really complex, and you did not know until the end who were the good guys. Would make a really good film.

Sarah French, ex-Royal Marine has been hired as security detail to babysit a super yacht across the Atlantic.

Her old friend and new boss Mitch sees it as a way to recuperate following her traumatic departure from the Marines.

As things start to go wrong, it becomes anything but relaxing.

A tense thriller from Cameron Ward that keeps you on the edge of your seat right until the end