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BOOK INFO
Title: The Stowaway
Author: James S. Murray and Darren Wearmouth
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Publish Date: September 21, 2021
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Series: na
My Rating: 3/5
BOOK BLURB
Two years ago, Maria Fontana, the head of the Psychology Department at Columbia University, sat on a jury for one of the most depraved cases ever to pass through the hallowed halls of City Hall. Wyatt Butler, an antique watch restorer and alleged serial killer, was portrayed in the courtroom as a brutal monster. But Maria had to make the tough choice. In good conscience, she couldn’t convict him based purely on circumstantial evidence, and her deciding vote set Wyatt Butler free. The media soon outed her as the lone juror and her successful and quaint life was turned upside down. The victims of Wyatt’s ritualistic killings never forgave her either.
Now, she and her family have decided to take a vacation to get away from everything: a two-week-long transatlantic cruise. Nothing, and nobody should be able to bother her there. With her two twins and her fiancé Steve, she is set to put the past behind her as soon as the ship leaves port. But when a passenger mysteriously disappears, Maria is left to wonder if maybe this was no coincidence. When another passenger is discovered brutally murdered in a similar way to Butler’s ritualistic MO, the ship goes on lockdown.
Maria, one of only twelve people in the world with intimate knowledge of the case, faces a perilous ticking clock. Is it a copycat? Or is she trapped on board with the bloodthirsty maniac she chose to set free?
Purchase Links: Amazon
MY REVIEW
Maria served on a jury for an alleged serial killer. She decided to vote not guilty, and it created some challenges in her life. She became the target of threats, and wants to get away for a while. She and her boyfriend and two kids go on a cruise. Soon a murder occurs, and Maria has to figure out if it’s the killer she set free or a copycat.
The Stowaway is a fast-paced plot driven thriller. Gruesome crimes against children make for a difficult read. Intriguing story that kept me interested in how it would end.
The Stowaway is a disturbing and twisty thriller. Fans of serial killer mysteries are likely to enjoy this one.
I received a digital copy of this book from Macmillan in exchange for an honest review.