This book was thrilling from beginning to end, and I am sorry I only got around to reading it now! Entertaining read, will read more by this author in future.

When I tell you I suspected EVERY ONE!!! The best kind of mystery is the one that keeps you guessing til the very end and this was exactly that!

This was a fantastic and gripping thriller. This story grabs you and doesn’t let go! I kept trying to figure it out and absolutely could not! That’s what makes for a phenomenal read for me. This book will have you not trusting anyone and second guessing everything! I couldn’t put it down and then getting to that ending…..man! Mind blown! Great read absolutely loved it!!!

This one had me guessing the whole way through. Plenty of suspects and I suspected them all! Suspenseful with perfect pacing. A very engaging and enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this eARC.

A nightmare scenario is about to unfold with a killer on the yacht. This is so incredibly twisty and dark. The characters are well played.

I was lucky to receive an advance copy of Adrift by M.A. Hunter from NetGalley and the publisher in exchance for my honest review and opinion. OH MY GOSH - this was one wild ride. This book literally made me gasp out loud as it's that intense with all the twists and turns that keep coming at you faster than you can imagine. Do yourself a favor and read this the first chance you get!

I loved this! Riveting, suspenseful tale of about a stag do on a boat that goes very wrong, alternating between events in the past and the present day. I couldn't put it down and was completely wrong about the ending.

This book caught my attention immediately. I'm all about a book set on a boat of any kind and I'll be hard pressed to turn down the opportunity to pick all of them up. This book sounded great - a group of friends - on a. private yacht - in the Balearics?! Yes, please! Unfortunately, though I think this story started out strong, it really fizzled out way too fast. I wasn't the story I was truly hoping for.

Great book to read. Told in two different times. Past and present between a group of friends. It was fast paced and kept my interest through out. Always wondering who done it. Exciting plot and very well executed

Six friends are bound together as they are all involved in something that they have been running from. All aboard a yacht for what should be a happy occasion, turns out to be the last thing that they all ever do together. Full of twists, secrets revealed and a killer on the loose. What a place to be trapped!

Book Review: Adrift by M.A. Hunter

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Adrift by M.A. Hunter is a thrilling locked-room mystery that takes readers on a suspenseful ride aboard a private yacht in the Balearics. With a group of old friends, a stag do, and a dark secret, this novel offers a fast-paced and entertaining read that will keep you hooked until the very end.

The story revolves around Pete and his friends who embark on a celebratory trip for Fergus’ upcoming wedding. Expecting nothing more than a sun-soaked vacation filled with alcohol and laughter, they soon discover that their past is not so easily forgotten. As the events unfold, they find themselves entangled in a terrible incident from their university days that they have desperately tried to leave behind.

One of the strengths of Adrift lies in its atmospheric setting. The author skillfully captures the essence of being adrift at sea, creating a sense of isolation and vulnerability that adds to the tension of the story. Hunter’s detailed descriptions transport readers to the yacht, making them feel like they are right there, experiencing the fear and uncertainty alongside the characters.

The plot of Adrift is gripping and keeps you guessing throughout the book. It is a classic locked-room mystery with a twist, as the characters are trapped on a yacht with no means of escape. This sense of confinement heightens the suspense and adds an extra layer of intrigue to the story. While the plot may be a little far-fetched at times, it doesn’t detract from the overall enjoyment of the book.

However, one area where Adrift could have been improved is in the development of the backstory of the landlord. The character’s motivations and actions needed to be fleshed out more in order to fully understand their role in the unfolding events. This lack of depth left some loose ends that could have added more depth and complexity to the story.

In terms of character development, the cast of Adrift is adequate but not particularly memorable. While each character brings their own quirks and personalities to the table, they lack a certain depth that would have made them truly engaging. Despite this, their interactions and dynamics create enough intrigue to keep readers invested in their fates.

The ending of Adrift may leave some readers slightly disappointed. It feels a bit anticlimactic compared to the tension built up throughout the book. However, it does tie up loose ends and provides closure to the central mystery. It could have benefited from a stronger resolution that matched the intensity of the story leading up to that point.

Overall, Adrift by M.A. Hunter is an enjoyable read that falls somewhere between three and four stars. It offers an engaging locked-room mystery set aboard a yacht in the Balearics, with fast-paced action and an atmospheric setting. While the plot may stretch believability at times and some characters lack depth, it is still a quick and easy read that will keep you entertained. If you enjoy suspenseful mysteries with an intriguing setting, Adrift is worth checking out. I look forward to exploring more books by this author in the future.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

I was attracted to this book by the synopsis. It has short chapters which I prefer . This book made me feel like you are actually there with the characters.

A fast-paced, tense and twisted psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the end!

This is the first novel I’ve read from this author and the synopsis, along with the enticing cover, had me intrigued from the outset.

Told in a dual timeline, the plot uses the backdrop of events from ten years previously to gradually reveal what binds the characters together in the present day.

It’s definitely one of those books you don’t want to put down, telling yourself you’ll just read one more chapter just to try and piece together who might be behind the gruesome events on board the ship.

A thrilling read and highly recommended.

With thanks to the author, Rachel at Random Resources and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to participate in the tour.

The book is mystery thriller genre what I like, and from the description I expected it to be good, but for me, the actions of the different characters too often were unbelievable and the personalities themselves not interesting.

There has been a spate of these reuinon types books where big secrets emerge, and they are ones that I enjoy. This is a slightly different setting given they are at sea! The two timelines interweve until the conclusion which was shocking yet satisfying,

This was an action packed thriller filled with secrets. I loved the idea of this book and the concept, the author did a very good job in making the reader immersed in the story. It was a bloody and intense ride.

The plot was great, it felt real, this is definitely a story that could happen. It's a fast read that's for sure. The past and the present chapters were intricately done and gave you just the right information without giving too much away. The concept of being stuck on a Yacht I loved that so much. Makes for a great summer read !! There were twists and turns throughout it all and makes you want more after each chapter. The characters were well written, easy to relate to but hard to know who to trust.

It was a very well written thriller, it was clever, twisty and kept me hooked. All the emotions felt by the passengers on the boat I could feel them all. There were some gory details regarding some events and honestly it was perfect it just made it better.

The narrator was great, I really liked his storytelling skills and his intonation.

If you're looking for a fast paced, action packed, bloody page turning thriller add this to your summer TBR !

✨️Thank you to @netgalley, @bookandtonic & @stef.edger for my free ARC & AUDIO in exchange for an honest review.

In “Adrift” by M.A. Hunter, readers are taken on a thrilling and suspenseful journey as six old friends embark on a stag do aboard a private yacht in the Balearics. However, what initially promises to be a carefree celebration soon turns into a harrowing ordeal as a long-buried secret threatens to resurface, putting their friendship and lives in jeopardy.

The novel begins with Pete and his friends eagerly anticipating a weekend of sun, sea, and indulgence as they gather to commemorate Fergus’ upcoming wedding. As the story unfolds, it becomes evident that their enduring friendship is tethered to a haunting event from their university days, one that they have desperately tried to bury in their memories.

M.A. Hunter skillfully builds the tension throughout the narrative, slowly revealing glimpses of the past while keeping readers on edge about the nature of the terrible event that binds these friends together. The author expertly weaves together present-day events with past secrets, creating an atmosphere of unease and mystery that lingers throughout the story.

The characters in “Adrift” are multi-dimensional and flawed, making them relatable and compelling. Each friend carries their own burdens and insecurities, and as their shared past resurfaces, their vulnerabilities are exposed. The dynamics between the characters are well-crafted, exploring themes of loyalty, guilt, and the lengths people will go to protect themselves and their friendships.

Hunter’s writing style is immersive and engaging, effectively capturing the beauty of the Balearic Islands while juxtaposing it with the growing sense of dread and paranoia. The author’s attention to detail brings the settings to life, allowing readers to vividly imagine the claustrophobic environment of the yacht and the vastness of the surrounding ocean.

The pacing of the plot is well-maintained, with carefully placed twists and revelations that keep readers guessing and eager to uncover the truth. Hunter skillfully blends psychological suspense with moments of high-stakes action, creating a sense of urgency that propels the story forward.

While “Adrift” is primarily a suspenseful thriller, it also delves into deeper themes such as the consequences of past actions and the fragility of trust. The exploration of these themes adds depth to the narrative and elevates it beyond a simple page-turner.

One aspect that could have been further developed is the exploration of the characters’ emotional turmoil as they confront their shared past. Although the characters’ inner struggles are touched upon, a deeper exploration of their psychological journey would have added even more depth to the story.

In conclusion, “Adrift” by M.A. Hunter is a gripping and atmospheric thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. With its well-drawn characters, skillful pacing, and an intriguing exploration of the weight of secrets and the bonds of friendship, the book offers an immersive reading experience. Fans of suspenseful mysteries will find themselves captivated by the twists and turns of this gripping tale of past sins and the lengths one will go to protect those they hold dear.

This book is about a group of long time friends book a yacht for one of their friends bachelor parties. All is well until it’s not, and people start dying off. I gave this book 3 stars. I didnt particularly like It but I also didn’t hate it. I feel like the storyline was good, characters were likable, I just feel like it was missing something and the end was a tad rushed. Still a good book; just not my cup of tea particularly

This became of book of two halves: whilst I relished in the claustrophobic, “locked room” murder mystery, I was also frustrated by how far-fetched the story turned. By the end of the novel I had lost interest and felt the revelations were a bit of an anti-climax.

The novel moves equally between the friends’ weekend on the boat, to ten years previous. In this past timeframe, we watch Pete and Harry meet the other people in their group, their university days and how a secret in their past appears to be haunting them on the yacht. Initially I struggled to keep track of the identities of the group; I was grateful for the flashbacks because they helped to establish the different characters.

One by one, it would appear that the friends are being targeted, haunted by an enemy from their past. As the university narrative develops, I enjoyed watching how Pete and his friends are driven to extreme actions. Yet, the most enjoyable element of this timeline was the depiction of university life, prompting me to reminisce on my own experiences. I think Hunter really captures this student living and the temptation of a social life versus studying.

I grew to dislike Sophie’s character and all that she represented. This was where I thought the story started to become unrealistic. How she treats the rest of the group and how she manages her landlord felt rather wrong and I disliked how accepting everyone was. Furthermore, the tenancy agreement that Pete and their friends blindly sign was irritating, especially as Pete is studying law. Their collective naivety and treatment of Sophie was annoyingly dismissive and I disliked how Sophie was presented as the tool to ensure everyone’s protection. Even though Hunter gives more of a backstory to help us understand Sophie’s past, I really was unimpressed with her actions and what she comes to represent. She seems more of a leader of the group and her influence is to just suit her all the time. Her selfishness is reflected in those around her.

By the end of the novel, I was a bit bored by how the story was unfolding and thought the mystery was slowing down in pace. I did not get a sense of danger and tension because of how ill-formed the characters were behaving: not like they had ten years on their university selves, but like they were still fresh from leaving home. The quickness to hide the truth is something that always grates on me with stories and this became no different.

I liked how the story opened with a mystery and a secret, enjoying discovering the truth about what really happened a decade previously. However, I believe this mystery and suspense was lost as I grew irritated by the naivety of the characters.

With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I adore M A Hunter's "missing children" series but didn't know he could also write great psychological thrillers. This really is the stuff of all those great 80s' horror movies. The stag party is left stranded on a yacht in the middle of the sea with no way of contacting anyone. Meanwhile someone is picking them off one by one. I was on a knife's 'edge for most of this book. Never knowing who would be next to meet their fate and of course who was doing this and why kept my attention rapt and was really exciting.. This one of those books that will] keep you up all night reading and is well worthy of 5 stars.