Charlie Bacon, the mysterious man who promised Lena a Broadway part, accompanies her on the cruise. He insists they sit with a wealthy American family, the Abernathy’s for dinner, and as she gets to know this wealthy American family, she realizes they are very dysfunctional. However, when another murder happens at sea, on the way to New York, to one of the Abernathy family members, Lena starts to wonder if her own life is in danger. It is clear from the beginning of the book that someone is plotting against Lena so you get what you expect when two of the men of the American family are murdered on ship. Hare’s well-crafted second novel oozes glamour . . . Did someone mention Agatha Christie? Yes, but with the bonus of subtle reflections on race and class’ Observer Moreover, it was clear she was trying to emulate Miss Agatha Christie, and she also mentioned her novels once or twice, but I really believe she did not accomplish the goal. I also think this book does not add anything to the mystery genre in general, but maybe I am being to harsh. I don’t know, it was just a huge disappointment…

Well, well this is thrilling mash up of Woman in cabin 10 meets Titanic with Agatha Christie vibes ( it reminds me of Death on the Nile without its brilliant Belgian detective )

Drawn in… and thrown off the scent

A fabulous Christie-esque mystery. Brilliantly written, so evocative, and keeps you guessing all the way through' Charlotte Levin, If I Can't Have You Glamour and grit combine in this smartly plotted, wonderfully atmospheric historical murder mystery, with a heroine I won't forget. I loved it' Frances Quinn, The Smallest Man Lena is interesting because her skin tone, her parentage, her profession, and her current mission, not to mention the liminal state that everyone exists in while at sea, all place her in a nebulous state that allows her to talk to everyone. She travels all over the ship and interacts with everyone from the filthy rich passengers in First Class to the ship’s employees. It’s a lot of fun to see how the upper third lives, with their endless attentive service, a store for every possible need, loads of food, and flowers, and private cabins for all. Lena’s iffy moral choices lend the novel a touch of noir moodiness but also make her a difficult protagonist for me to attach to. The club she worked at was attached to a brothel (same building, owner, and many shared customers) that victimized very young girls. Lena was one of many that knew about it but chose not to report it – not only for her own protection but because the owner, Tommy, was bribing the police anyway. She covers up a murder, she uses cocaine, she lies, she drinks heavily, and she’s kind of a crappy friend. In short, Lena is not an evil or amoral person by any means, but she is focused on her own survival and although she is capable of feeling a great deal of compassion for people, she is also capable of ruthless behavior.

Lena has nothing to lose and this offer can save her from her biggest predicament ( a person of interest of a brutal crime)However, I think that it gets a bit over the top but most importantly this also allows you to perceive who is behind proceedings. I’m also not sure you need the inserts between Lena‘s narrative from this character as it jars with me, striking a false note and it breaks the flow of the novel. When a surprise opportunity of starring in a musical on Broadway arises she jumps at the chance and is whisked away first class on a cruise liner bound for New York, From murder to family relationships, lovers to enemies, loyalty to deception… Lena’s story encapsulates them all in a whirlwind of exciting moments.

We follow Lena as her life before getting on the Queen Mary and during her time on the Queen Mary is revealed

A touch of film noir

Forget about solving all these crimes; the signal triumph here is (spoiler) the heroine’s survival.