I received an e-arc of this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Raven Books!

Stuart Turton returns with the much anticipated The Devil and the Dark Water. It is essentially, as Hannah Gadsby would say, his ‘difficult second album’- released on a tidal wave of expectation due to the amazing success of his debut novel The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle.

So, can genius strike twice? Yes. Apparently it very definitely can.

Stuart Turton has definitely lived up to the hype and is quickly establishing himself as not only one of my go-to authors, but also a commanding voice in the ‘murder mystery’ ‘sci-fi’ ‘historical fiction’…wait. What genre is this exactly? *flips to author’s note* ‘historical fiction. where the history is the fiction’ ah. ok. Well as I was saying, Turton is rapidly carving a space for himself on my bookshelves and as an authority in his particular type of writing.

It is a very particular type too. His books are effortlessly woven mysteries with engaging characters who can captivate you regardless of how much time they actually get at the forefront of the story. Coupled with settings which are so atmospheric it’s almost magical – seriously I swear I felt seasick at certain points – his books make for some of the most original we’ve seen in the last 5 years.

The Devil and the Dark Water follows the ‘Saardam’ a ship sailing from Batavia to Amsterdam and it reportedly doomed from the outset.

Prisoner and sleuth Samuel Pipps, together with his bodyguard and friend Arent Hayes are travelling on the ship, Samuel having being arrested for reasons unbeknownst to him. Alongside them travel a large cast of characters including the Governor General – Jan Haan – his wife Sara, and their daughter Lia. Captain Crauwells and his mish mash crew are charged with making sure the Saardam makes port in Amsterdam, but there may or may not be a devil on board and whispers follow them through the waters from the minute they leave Batavia.

I found Arent to be a most intriguing character, with a quiet humility about him Turton made me want to know more about his character and motivations. Smaller characters like Lia, Dorothea, and Crauwells were no less vibrant, Lia actually quickly became one of my favourite characters in the book. I absolutely loved the entire thing, I think it’s a masterful piece of work – but in particular what stood out to me was the overall atmosphere. At times I could feel the old creaking ship around me, smells and all, and the way Turton does this is just unlike anything else I’ve ever read. As the reader you are so completely caught in the net of the story that at times it’s a shock to return to ‘normal life’. Fellow blogger Ollie said some similar things in his review, which you can find here!

Furthermore, another of Turton’s talents is on effortless display once again with a number of subplots woven intricately – yet perfectly – into the story. These subplots are just as, if not more, engaging than the actual plot and serve to prove that Turton is easily one of the most talented writers around at the moment. You can just tell that this book has been so carefully and meticulously crafted and has been done with someone who cares a great deal about his writing, something which really stands out in both of Turton’s books.

Another favourite was the representation of women in the novel, once again carefully crafted and done delicately and accurately without it feeling like the writing was performative, it was done incredibly well. I don’t know if you can tell but I very quickly lost my heart to this book.

To be completely transparent, if I were asked to pick my favourite of Turton’s books, I would pick Seven Deaths purely because where Seven Deaths was absolute genius, this book for me erred on the side of slightly far-fetched at times, not necessarily in a bad way, but in a way I personally like a little less. Do not let that put you off though, this is still one of the best most engaging books I’ve read and truly was a joy to finally get my hands on. In fact, one thing I would say this book does slightly better than Seven Deaths is the characters – I cared about them all and wanted to read more about them all. There was not one point where I found myself wanting to skip interactions or felt I was getting bored – whereas if I recall correctly Seven Deaths did have a bit of that.

The Devil and the Dark Water was an absolute pleasure to read, I count myself lucky to be around at the same time as these books, they’re just that good. Needless to say I would never have seen that ending coming, which for someone like me, who reads a tonne of murder mystery and can see a cliché ending from several miles away, is deeply and satisfyingly refreshing.

If you have any hesitations about reading this and my review hasn’t swayed you either way, check out some other reviews – you’ll see that we’re pretty much all singing from the same hymn sheet – you won’t regret reading it. When you read that last page, you’ll close it with a sigh of satisfaction, safe in the knowledge that this book is in your life forever. And, like me, you’ll begin your vigil, patiently stalking social media for news of the next book by the genius that is Stuart Turton.

Murder, mystery, and mayhem aboard a merchant ship of the East India Trading Company as it returns from the East Indies to Amsterdam. Stuart Turton's second novel is just as energetic, atmospheric, and compelling as his first.

This was excellent. So dark and creepy and enjoyable. 

I went in cold, having avoided reviews and dreaded spoilers, I'm glad I did as any hint about the plot would have spoilt it. 

This was so, so enjoyable. Stuart Turton is an evil genius.

In 1634, Arent Hayes is a mercenary working as bodyguard to Samuel Pipps, a world famous detective who has been accused of a grave crime. Imprisoned onboard a ship sailing from Batavia to Amsterdam, Pipps cannot help when a murderous leper (who has already been seen to die not once, but twice) and unknown evil begins to stalk the passengers. With a crew of motley characters who would kill him as soon as look at him, Arent has to solve the mystery before they are all doomed. 

Having absolutely loved The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, I was really excited at having a chance to read an ARC of this one. It's very different in setting, but has a plot which at first read seems rather straightforward, but as you reach the conclusion, the reader realises that almost nothing is as it seems. It's quite slow to get going and I didn't enjoy it quite as much as The 7 1/2 Deaths but it is still a cracking read. 

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Bloomsbury Publishing PLC (UK & ANZ)/Raven Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

CW: There is a scene of animal death but it's very quick and not graphic.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book.

I enjoyed the subject but really struggled to settle into reading this book. It’s a good read but not an easy one

What a book - featuring a detective duo, witchfinders, murders on the high sea, some sassy women and even Old Tom himself stalking passengers on the ship. Set in 1634, a detective is imprisoned on board on way to his execution. His side-kick, Arent Hayes, sets out to solve a crime on board and to prove his friend innocent. The plot thickens fast and before long a leper has appeared after he was killed, passengers are killed and the ship is at risk. 

This is a rollocking read from Stuart Turton, author of the similarly twisty bestseller, The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. Readers who like twists and turns, historical fiction and detective books will love this.

An exhilarating adventure at sea on a cursed vessel. 

1643, an East India Company fleet  is leaving the Dutch East Indies, sailing to Amsterdam. Prior to boarding, a leper warns to assembled passengers and crew that the ship is damned, the Devil, also known as Old Tom is aboard before promptly bursting in to flames. The passengers of the Saardam include the Governor General of Batavia, his family, mistress and staff, a Predikant and his ward, Lieutenant  Arent Hayes and a prisoner, Samuel Pipps. 

The relationship between Pipps and Hayes has a Holmes and Watson feel to it; Pipps is a famous thief-taker and Hayes is his partner, protector and chronicler. The reason for Pipps' fall from grace are unknown, even to him, he suspects it has to do with a precious cargo being stored on the boat, known as The Folly. Manacled and locked into a tiny cell within the prow of the ship, Pipps is unable to assist Hayes as he tries to discover the meaning of the leper's warning. 

Hayes forms an alliance with Sara Wessell, wife of the Governor General, and shackled in her own way by the conventions of the time. Soon mysterious happenings occur, threatening the lives of those on board, and a series of 'unholy miracles' mark the presence of Old Tom, who whispers to the passengers and crew, offering them their heart'd desire for allegiance. Unsure of who to trust and where to turn, Hayes and Sara seem helpless on to prevent disaster and the Saardam looks unlikely ever to reach Amsterdam. 

A thrilling story, with much evocative language and superb metaphor, the loading of the ship being described like the feeding of a hungry beast before their voyage can begin. As the novel progresses we learn more of the interconnecting strands that tie the passengers together, old loyalties and old resentments and life aboard an Indiaman vessel on an eight month voyage. Much is made of the superstitions of sailors and the precarious life they lead, in the hope or promise of great wealth should they succeed. 

Turton keep the pace moving forward and the reader guessing. Despite the high religiosity of the  seventeenth century, not all aboard the Saardam believe in the existence of the Devil, some see the sins as all too human, and know what man can do to fellow man. The main protagonists are well rounded and likeable, they are not always together, so their interactions with other characters gives the reader a chance to decide the veracity of their statements. 

A most enjoyable read, for lovers of history and thriller readers. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book in an exchange for a fair and honest review.

As a big fan of Stuart Turton’s previous novel, I was really excited to see that he had a new one on the horizon and well, wasn’t this a fantastic second outing?

Sammy Pipps and Arent Hayes, a detective and his bodyguard, are returning to Amsterdam from the United East India Company outpost of Batavia (modern day Jakarta). However, Arent is walking onto the ship and Sammy is in chains. And then the devil strikes on the ship taking them home, the Saardam, and literally, all hell breaks loose. Who to trust and who is good, bad, or downright ugly is for you to work out. 

If I could condense it in one concept, I would say it’s Sherlock Holmes in the 17th Century but that is too small a description for the rich, epic adventure Tustin manages to create in The Devil and the Dark Water. It’s involved, it’s gripping and it’s incredibly interesting. 
My only complaint really, like with Evelyn Hardcastle, is at times I get lost in the prose. It’s too much, it’s too rich and too much - you forget who is what or how they tie in for a bit. It’s a lot of threads to hold onto. Each character has a secret of which some never quite get revealed properly.... However, when you think about how long it is, and how many characters there are, and how infrequently this confusion happens, it’s an extremely accomplished work.

If you enjoyed his first effort, this is a glorious second course.

Thank you to #Netgalley & #Bloomsbury for this arc.
It is 1634 and the Governor of Batavia is returning to Holland with the closely guarded secret "The Folly". It will take 8 months for the journey to be completed but his prize is a seat on The Gentlemen 17 committee who control trade via the Dutch East India Company. The Governor is accompanied on board the ship Saardam by his wife, daughter, mistress and various employees. Included in this group are Samuel Phipps an English investigator/problematory who has solved many mysteries but is now in chains accused of treason. His companion is Arent Hayes whose task is to protect Sammy. The drama begins on the quayside before the ship is boarded. A leper claims that "Old Tom" an occult figure will make sure none of them reach Holland. Events on the quayside set the scene for the drama that follows on the ship. The mark of Old Tom appears as the ship sets sail and soon discord has been sown between the crew and the passengers. Short rations, the slaughter of the livestock and mysterious happenings all feed into the fervid amotsphere on the ship. And the man most capable of solving the mysteries is locked in the brig. The scene is set for a marvellous locked room mystery. Is it one person acting alone or several people acting in unison? As the tension develops the claustrophobic feel of the ship is accentuated.
I couldn't put this book down and the short chapters kept me reading long after I should have put it away.
For fans of Stuart Turton's debut novel The 71/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle this 2nd novel is different but just as good.
The Devil and the Dark Water is a rip roaring tale of greed, corruption, the occult, superstition and so much more. Read it!
There are characters

Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the ARC of this book.

This is a very interesting book. It follows a Holmes and Watsonesque duo on a sea voyage from Batavia to Amsterdam in the 1630s. The ship appears to be besieged by a devil threatening people and causing deaths and the pair must solve the mystery of the deaths. Is it really a supernatural devil or is there a more rational explanation?

It’s a very atmospheric, intriguing and unpredictable book. I think Stuart Turton is a very original author. His books keep you guessing until the end and I was so relieved that it had a very satisfying ending which explained everything.

I found it slightly hard to keep track of all the male characters with unfamiliar Dutch names. However, I particularly enjoyed that the female characters have very modern sensibilities, are strong and intelligent and complain about not having pockets in their dresses.

A very enjoyable historical mystery book with an interesting setting which manages to be both complex and thoroughly readable.

The Devil and the Dark Water is the second book from Stuart Turton, the first being The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle (Alternatively titled The Seven and a Half Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle across the pond). It is a historical fiction mystery novel and is published by Raven Books, an imprint of Bloomsbury, on the 1st of October 2020.

*I was lucky enough to receive an eARC copy from the publisher through NetGalley. This, in no way, influences my review.

Waterstones hardback edition of The Devil and the Dark Water. The edges are sprayed to match the pattern of waves on the front cover. 
This is the lovely Waterstones edition. Would you look at those sprayed edges!
Set in 17th century Europe, the book follows a group of people travelling on a ship from Bavaria to Amsterdam. It’s not long before they find themselves plagued by mysterious symbols, promises of murder, and an undead leper stalking the ship. Is their adversary mortal man or demon devil?

I have seen this book marketed as a murder mystery. The book has both murder and mystery and yet this label does not seem to accurately describe this book. The murder takes place relatively later into the book which gives it a completely different sense of pacing, utterly in opposition to what the reader may be expecting. It’s a slow burn of a narrative, but this gives Stuart Turton ample opportunity to build the fabulous sense of atmosphere. There is something elaborate, psychological, and utterly predatory about the feel of this book as a devil stalks the decks of the ships, seemingly a step ahead of our characters the whole time. His writing is intoxicating in the way in which is grabs hold of you, just as much as the presence of the devil grabs hold of the passengers on the ship.

The pacing is not the only aspect of this genre that Turton subverts in this novel. The mystery is as well-crafted as those we see in or favourite Golden Age classics. It makes use of some of the conventions but only what the story needs rather than becomes trapped or beholden to those conventions. Although I thoroughly enjoyed Turton previous novel, this second book established this author as a fresh, new, and exciting voice within the mystery genre.

From the very begging of the book, we are thrown by the fact that our famed detective, Sammy Pipps, in imprisoned and therefore unable to investigate the mysterious happenings on this ship. Instead, it’s left to Arent Hayes his loyal bodyguard, who writes up Pipps’ cases for the public to read. This played with the genre once again by showing us one man, Pipps, who would be able to solve the case and rendering him incapacitated. His presence acts as a reminder than the mystery can be solved, and this is emphasised by Arent’s unwavering faith in his friend. Despite appearing to be in line with those traditional conventions, Turton does something ever so clever with this partnership which shows that he, as a writer, wants to push those boundaries.

All the characters of this book are written so that they can stand on their own feet away from the mystery. The focus is never just one the present, but also on the past. How did those characters come to be? Why do they act the way they do? Turton’s use of the past and the present comes together to create these beautifully formed and complex characters. I appreciated that the characters set their precedence for their actions as it makes the narrative all that much more compelling.

Overall I gave The Devil and the Dark Water ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of a possible five star rating.

I truly wish I could tell you more about this book, but I want to be purposefully vague so that you, as a reader, get the joy of discovering this story the same way I did. All that’s left for me to say is that I adored this book, and I am certain you will see it on my favourite books of the year list.

The Devil and the Dark Water is available for all the usual places right now. Waterstones and Forbidden Planet (affiliate link) both have these gorgeous special signed editions available. Alternatively, it’s also available from Amazon, Audible, and do be sure to check out your independent bookshops if possible.

If you liked this, why not check out… The Seven and a Half Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle Review, Rules for Perfect Murders Review, or Expiry Date Book Review.

This really was a ‘full speed ahead’ story which I found difficult to catch up with!  I felt as though I had missed out on a prequel and was missing out on the full story.  The Dutch names didn’t help my confusion and despite the list of characters I was never quite sure who was who and what rank they held aboard the Indiaman!  I enjoyed the relationships that surrounded the He man’ hero Arent and I could almost taste and smell the atmosphere onboard ship.  Despite my confusion I was carried away by the story and enjoyed chasing the demons which threatened the crew and her passengers!

A supernatural mystery set on a ship sailing from Batavia to Amsterdam, with a Sherlock Holmes type detective on board. What's not to like? Turns out, not very much at all, as this is a really clever, well plotted story with great characters, so many of them with various reasons and apparent motives to keep you guessing right to the very end. 

It's a stand alone story, but I would read the hell out of prequels detailing the adventures of Sammy Pipps and Arent Hale, and the fact that they have such a rich history adds to the fullness of their characterisation. Sammy Pipps is a problematory, a detective with almost preternatutal skills at uncovering the truth of things, and Arent is his giant framed bodyguard. His Watson, but with extra muscle, for revealing and accusing murderers and thieves is a risky game.

Sara, Lia, and Creesjie are all strong female characters, esch with a destiny and a will of their own to survive and prosper despite the male attention they attract and which obviously in the timeframe wants to dominate them.
Set in 1634, aboard a Dutch merchant ship, the time is vividly portrayed as a dangerous place for women, who do what they're told and should be submissive. On the surface this appears to be the fate our three ladies are resigned to, but over the story we discover this couldn't be further from the truth. 

I hadn't read this author before, but will certainly be checking more of out his work.

After finishing this novel I was left feeling torn, with my moral compass spinning. All through the story I’ve been kept on edge wondering how things were going to come together, who or what was responsible, and why?

We are in 1634 and Samuel Pipps is the worlds greatest detective, but he’s been imprisoned on board a Dutch East Indies ship, travelling from Batavia to Amsterdam. There Samuel will face trial and execution for crimes he is unsure of. His bodyguard and loyal friend, Arent Hayes professes his innocence and wishes to set him free.

On board we have the crew, passengers, musketeers, and nobles such as Sara Wessel and her husband the Governor General. All have secrets, all are hiding something and all are spooked by the strange happenings on board the ship that depict the work of devilry. A dead leper haunts the ship, livestock are slaughtered and the devil himself whispers to passengers and crew in the night.

Arent and Sara investigate these strange happenings but need to find answers to many things including, why is the cargo hold full of mysterious crates, why is there a secret box being protected in the gunpowder store? And just who or what is carving devil symbols onto the ship? Can they solve the mystery before chaos descends and they reach Amsterdam?

We have an array of characters all with their own flaws that add to the mystery of this epic novel. The character’s themselves are developed nicely with some seeming to overlap in personality, but that’s what you get when you have a shipload of sailors. The creativity of the setting is wonderful, you are not jumping from one place to another which gave the author more room to outline the confined space of the ship perfectly.

The story is paced as if it were a boat sailing on the churring, choppy waters of the sea with the mystery revealing itself in waves. The atmosphere created within its pages was eerie, foreboding with some events shocking. When it all come together in the end we had a Sherlock Holmes style revelation. A very good read indeed.

This is a fantastic ,addictive read with many twists and turns that will keep you turning each page to see what comes next. The writing is vivid and descriptive ,as we learn about the harsh reality of life on the ship. The characters are diverse and entertaining and grab you from the start, from the ship's crew to the noble passingers, each has a secret to keep. 
This is definitely one I'll be recommending again and again.

Stuart Turton is proving himself to be a master of intricately plotted, unpredictable and hugely satisfying mystery stories. 

After loving his debut novel, I eagerly read this book, his second, and was not disappointed. Taking an entirely different premise for the plot, all the elements which made his debut novel so good were all here too. 

Set aboard a ship journeying from the East Indies to Amsterdam in 1634, the novel starts with a leper appearing and warning passengers that the ship and voyage has been cursed by "Old Tom", the devil incarnated, before bursting into flames. What follows is a mystery full of murder, mayhem and mutiny with two characters at the forefront working to solve the mystery and uncover the devil among the passengers and crew. 

All the key characters within the plot were well developed and there were plenty of twists and turns to keep the story interesting. I would have loved to have seen more from Samuel Pipps, the talented detective heavily inspired by Sherlock Holmes, and found the ending a little too neat and tidy for my liking. Overall this was such a fun adventure story and brilliantly captured the darkness and gruelling conditions aboard the ship. A perfect read for Autumn and Winter. 
Thank you to Netgalley and Raven Books for the ARC.

My thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing U.K. Raven Books for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Devil and the Dark Water’ by Stuart Turton in exchange for an honest review. I complimented my reading with its audiobook, narrated by Julian Rhind-Tutt.

“Know that my master sails aboard the Saardam. He is the lord of hidden things; all desperate and dark things.” - a leper addressing the departing passengers.

Murder, mystery and intrigue on the high seas! In 1634, a small fleet sets sail on an eight month journey from the Dutch East Indies to Amsterdam. On board the Saardam, Samuel Pipps, the world’s greatest detective, is being transported to face trial and execution for a crime he may, or may not, have committed. 

He is accompanied by his loyal bodyguard, Arent Hayes, who is determined to prove his friend innocent. Among the other passengers are a noblewoman, Sara Wessel, and her husband, the governor general of Batavia.

Even before they have left port a strange event occurs in the dramatic warning given by the ragged leper as quoted above. These incidents increase once they are at sea. There are whispers of a demonic presence and what is the secret cargo, known as ‘The Folly’? I won’t say more in order to avoid spoilers though will say that this proved a cracking high seas adventure.

Following Stuart Turton’s highly acclaimed 2018 debut, ‘The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle’, I was very excited when details of his next book were announced. I am a huge fan of historical mysteries, especially with Gothic elements, and while I don’t often read maritime tales its being set on board an East Indiaman was rather intriguing. 

I felt that this an extremely well plotted mystery. I quickly found myself totally immersed in it and was riveted until the final page. While it has a more linear narrative than ‘Seven Deaths’, Turton still delights in mixing genres. In addition, there were plenty of twists and surprises including an intriguing locked room mystery. 

I felt that Turton exhibited great skill in evoking both its period setting and the claustrophobic atmosphere on board a 17th century sailing vessel. 

Overall, I felt that it proved worthy of the prepublication excitement. It is an entertaining historical mystery/adventure that is certain to delight Turton‘s existing fans and win him many more. 

Highly recommended.

I couldn't get into this book at the start, despite having loved Stuart Turton's first book, however, when I put it down then picked it back up a couple of days later, I was drawn in, so it's worth persevering!  Once I'd restarted it I found I was dragged in and wanted to learn more about the characters and the events. It's not an easy read but it is hypnotising and eerie.
It is set in the Early 17th Century on a ship, sailing to Amsterdam, which at that time took 8 months - a long time to be on a packed ship.  On board are the Governor General, his wife, his daughter and his mistress together with an imprisoned renowned detective, Samuel Pipps, and his huge bodyguard, Arent Hayes.  The Governor General has brought with him a secretive cargo called The Folly, which needs to be protected.
As unexpected events occur during boarding and when onboard, the ship is full of suspicion, blame, danger and religion is called into question.  It makes you ask yourself whether evil actually exists or is someone doing the deadly deeds to frighten the passengers and crew?

For me autumn brings a desire to read mystery books. Books that you can curl up with and get lost in. The Devil and the Dark Water is defiantly one of those books, although, at times, it is far from a comfort read. Even when you want to escape its pages it pulls you back in to its haunted and claustrophobic world which in my mind is what a perfect thriller does. 
The book is set in the early 17th Century and is centred around Samuel Pipps, a famous detective who has been imprisoned on board an Amsterdam-bound Dutch Indiamen called the Sardaam. With him, is his loyal bodyguard Arent Hayes who is desperate to protect him and have him freed. Very soon, strange, unsettling occurrences start happening aboard the ship and we are trapped in a brutal and hostile environment fraught with division and suspicion. Having never read a book set aboard a ship, I found Turton effectively bought to the fore the sense of claustrophobia convincingly. The smells, sounds and proximity to others were constant throughout the reading of this book and added a dimension of shared desperation to solve the mystery.
Arent feels that without Pipps’ freedom he is unable to solve the mystery of Old Tom, the spirit supposedly haunting the boat but from very early on the governor general’s wife Sara Wessel helps to try to solve the unfathomable events. Arent and Sara’s relationship grows as they are propelled towards ever increasing danger. The characters were all fully realised and nuanced, compelling the reader to be fully invested in their successes and failures. The books explores the boundaries between good and evil as well asking us to question notions of responsibility and duty to others in contrast to serving our own needs and desires. How character is built through facing our fears and seeing beyond our own individual experiences, in order that we do what is right was the message I took from this book. I cannot wait to own a physical copy which I hear has some beautiful maps and illustrations.

The Devil and the Dark Water was so good. I love books set on ships and I do want to be a pirate. Turton presents a sort of locked room mystery where no one on board the ship is who they say they are and they are all hiding something throw a in devil summoning curse, some murder,  a crime solving partnership that bears more than a passing glance at Holmes and Watson and a feisty red headed rebel with a genius daughter and you’ve got a gold standard locked room mystery. 
I enjoyed this a lot, much more than the Seven deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, I thought the writing was clever, sharp and witty. Arent, our hero, is a good man who has done bad things and is the size of a house I loved him and I was routing for him and Sara throughout they were tops. I did guess who was behind the plot quite early on but there was another twist I didn’t see coming so it wasn’t disappointing.