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

I found the book difficult to read and get into. It didn't grip me, as I had hoped it would and I had to force myself to read it at times.

The setting of the book was different to anything I've ever read, and had the foundations to be an amazing thriller. It just never seemed to get going. I found a lot of it predictable, and there were no plots twists to keep you interested. On the occasions it did have my interest, either something irrelevant would happen or something unrealistic would happen.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to read the book, but unfortunately is not one I would recommend

Ex-marine Sarah French has been given a security job on a high value superyacht. A two week trip that was to be an easy journey, with little to worry about, time to relax, and space to work her way through the inner turmoil that lead to her leaving the marines. However, one thing after another starts to go wrong, and Sarah knows there is tension amongst the crew. One by one, theyare picked off, and Sarah realises that anyone could be next, and that everyone is a suspect.
I really loved this fast paced book, and read it in just a couple of sittings. I'd love to read more adventures of Sarah, who I found to be a strong, and likable character.
A great read, and well deserving of the 5 stars I have given.

This was like a 'Die Hard' film only with a badass female lead. It was a totally gripping, fast paced, action thriller but also a bit ridiculous in terms of believability with the fight scenes and Sarah's ability to keep going despite multiple injuries and gun shot wounds. It was also pretty obvious early on who the baddie and their sidekick were but enjoy it for what it is which is a great, over-the-top, fictional, easy read. I liked it a lot!

Set on the Titanic it tells 2 stories. One is based on the author’s forebear. It’s a brilliant book and I enjoyed every minute of it. The 2nd is fiction and they interweave to make a really great book.

First chapter or two started off great but after that I found it slow. Lots of repeated conversations among the crew .
Sarah the main character I found quite tiresome.
Not for me I'm afraid .

Definitely liked the sound of this book- a mystery on a luxury yacht.

It started off fine with a strong opening chapter but after that I found it quite slow going.

I didn’t particularly connect with the main character, Sarah and actually found her quite annoying - how could she not see the obvious indicators of what was going on? I had the bad guys sussed pretty early and I'm usually terrible at it.

Also quite a bit of repetition of phrases and themes which slowed things down even further.

Kept on until the end but ’m afraid I just don’t think this one was for me.

Thanks to Net Galley for early copy

This book started off well and had all the promise of an adventure in the middle of the ocean. Unfortunately I found it very slow going and struggled to finish it.