The Stowaway by James S. Murray & Darren Wearmouth
Published: September 21, 2021
St. Martin’s Press
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

James S. Murray is a writer, executive producer, and actor, best known as "Murr" on the hit television show Impractical Jokers on truTV. He is the bestselling author of the novels Awakened and The Brink. Originally from Staten Island, he now lives in Manhattan.

Darren Wearmouth is a bestselling author and co-author of many novels, including Critical Strike and Fast Forward. He is a member of the International Thriller Writers Group and the British Science Fiction Association and currently lives in Manchester, England.

“So it seems we have a stowaway.”

Being summoned for jury duty is tedious enough, but being selected only to discover it’s a brutal murder trial is downright terrifying. Maria is the head of the psychology department at Columbia, and she’s a juror on Wyatt Butler’s trial. He’s accused of murdering children. When the jury can’t make a decision and someone votes not guilty- Wyatt walks free. And Maria and her fellow jurors have to try to move on with their lives. Hoping for some normalcy, Maria takes her children and fiancé on a cruise. What’s the worst that can happen?

Wow, wow, wow. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but man, my mind is still reeling.

The characters are all so dynamic and deep. Emotional and vulnerable, yet rational and motivated. The arc throughout the novel was so well played.

The build-up for this book just kept building. It was so intense and so scary. There were several twists I didn’t see coming, and I couldn’t put the book down.

The last five chapters are bananas. And I love the ending. This could be such a brilliant movie. Engaging, terrifying, and twisted- this is anything but a dream vacation.

This is my first book by these authors which I enjoyed and look forward to seeing what is next for them. This is a well written story about Maria and her vacation that turns deadly. She sat on a jury to put a serial killer away but now it looks like there is a copycat on the cruise boat she is vacationing on. What happens next you won't want to miss. I enjoyed being pulled into the story by the characters and what they brought to the story. They are connectable and brought alot to the story. This is a fast paced story that is full of action. I highly recommend this book.

An afternoon with The Stowaway was a well-spent few hours of a crime thriller deftly woven by Murray and Wearmouth. Thank you gentlemen and NetGalley for a finely crafted book.

Maria Fontana, a psychologist, juror and mother, was a worthy if unlikely protagonist to serial killer, Wyatt Butler. She was as expected an emotional wreck for the two years following Butler’s trial and the backlash that his mistrial at her hands evoked. A family cruise was the projected cure. In fact, it did turn out to be so, but much differently than expected.

This was a page turning read, albeit with some very gory descriptions of mutilation and death. These depictions were disturbing, but definitely provided emotional movement. It wouldn’t have been the same wrenching account without.

Of note is a surprise twist craftily hidden until nearly the end of the book. Very nicely done!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I was excited to read this as I’ve been a long-time viewer of James Murry aka Murr on Impractical Jokers. This was the furthest away from any comedy sketches! I am also an avid cruiser so I had to get this one under my belt. At times quite gruesome, this book was an adventure that kept me on the edge of my seat.

I was in the mood for a scary novel and this one sounded good! A murderer follows the juror who voted to free him on her family vacation.

Listen, I love any story that takes place on a cruise ship. And James Murray (of Impractical Jokers fame) and Darren Wearmouth write stories that are fast-paced and hold your attention. But they tend to drift over the line from effective horror to gratuitous gore. For instance, this book contains child murders, dismemberments, decapitations…etc. Most of the actual child murders happened before the book begins, but there are two fairly disturbing scenes in the book itself. I enjoyed the story itself enough to skip over the gory parts. I wanted to see how it turned out in the end. These authors are excellent at holding your attention and keeping you up late turning pages, but I think they would find even more success if they toned down the gore.

OMGH, Murr wrote a book! 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.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early e-galley.*

I received this book through "NetGalley".

The story begins with Maria attending a trial, as a juror, where the defendant was charged with serial killings. The case has gone to the jury for a verdict, and so far they have not come to a consensus of calling him guilty or not guilty. The jury is about to take a final vote to complete their deliberations. The end result is 11 guilty and 1 not guilty so the defendant is to be freed. As a result of the verdict, there has been a lot of people trying to learn who voted no guilty. Maria called a news conference and told the crowd she was the one that voted him not guilty. A book was written about the trial and Maria was depicted as someone not in control. Maria went to the book signing to confront the author, and caused an uproar which required her to take a leave from her teaching.

As the period of her leave was getting close, Maria and her family along with her fiancee Steve were taking a cruise to England. While on the cruise, events occurred which brought back memories of the serial killer that was freed. Maria confided her concerns with the chief of security who disregarded her completely. As time went on, things happened where he began to change his mind.

To learn what happened on the cruise and why Maria was so concerned, then you need to read this book. The ending is well worth it.

THE STOWAWAY, by James S Murray & Darren Wearmouth, is about Maria Fontana, a Columbia University professor and a juror in a gruesome murder case. Maria was reluctant to condemn the alleged murderer because much of the evidence in the case was either contradictory or vague. The case was thrown out because the jury could not come to a consensus on conviction. In order to steer attention away from the other jurors, Karen admits publicly that she was the lone vote not to convict. After months of harassment, Karen takes a cruise with her family to try and rid some of the negativity in her life before she has to return from her sabbatical from teaching. As disappearances become murders on the ship, Maria realizes that someone is hunting her, but who?
Murray & Wearmouth begin the book well, setting the stage for an exciting tale. The reader gets to know Maria during the court case and how conflicted she is, while also adding to the tension later by revealing how gruesome the murder cases are. By the time the cruise begins, Maria's true nature is clear: Maria is a protective, loving mother, who wants more than anything to move past that horrible part of her past. Her instincts can't help but notice something is awry on the ship. Soon she is in full analysis mode, trying to figure out who is the murderer on the ship and what his next steps will be. Using extensive knowledge of cruise ships and Maria's paranoia that won't stop churning, Murray & Wearmouth create a high stakes thriller that keeps the reader wondering who will live and who will die until the very end. The ending is a little predictable, but still fun and rewarding.
If exciting suspense is what you are looking for, THE STOWAWAY is the book for you.

After being an a juror on a case with a suspected serial killer who is set free and being harassed afterwards, Maria and her family need to get away from it all. What a better way than to hop on a cruise ship and have a little rest and relaxation. Wrong! This trip ends up being anything but relaxing.

I thought this book was an interesting read with a great premise - trapped on a cruise ship with a killer and nowhere to go. This book is grisly and gruesome so be aware before reading. The characters were interesting, the story engaging and filled with so many twists and turns. Great start to what seems like a new series!

I want to thank NetGalley, the authors and St. Martin’s Press for the e-ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are honest, my own and left voluntarily.

If you’re looking for a quick, suspenseful, psychological thriller The Stowaway is for you.

The chapters are short (my favourite), the story moves along quickly, and the character development was perfect. There are some great twists and turns, and murders on a cruise ship are just the most terrifying thing.

An edge of your seat, whodunit thriller. This page turner is a great read for summer. I enjoyed the setting being on a cruise ship, definitely contributed to that trapped, claustrophobic feel. Some graphic scenes and gore, but overall a solid thrill ride.

Short, quick read.  Smart characters.  Fast plotting, great beach read.  Would read more by this author, especially with this character.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars rounded up.

THE STOWAWAY by James S. Murray and Darren Wearmouth is a locked-room thriller involving a cruise ship carrying passengers on a 12-day cruise, and a stowaway who just so happens to also be a serial killer.

Y’ALL, this book was ~grotesque~ and I thought I’d start this review off with that because if gore is not your thing (particularly against children), then steer clear!

With that aside, this book was WILD. It was fast-paced, intense, and I just needed to know who the serial killer was. While I was never the biggest fan of the idea of ‘cruises,’ let it be known that I will for sure never be stepping onto one of those ships now.

Despite how page-turning this book is (and maybe because of), the authors don’t give the reader much time to build a connection with the main characters and they end up falling flat because of that. Everyone feels quite two-dimensional and the build-up to the action was also quite rushed.

Overall, a crazy thriller, but not one that I’d tell people they “need to read.”

Publication Date: September 21, 2021

*** special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review ***

The Stowaway is the first book I've read by these co-authors and it was pretty good. I don't typically summarize the plot or give a synopsis because those are available everywhere and a lot of other reviewers do also, but I will say the basic premise is a serial killer is loose on a cruise ship.

I gave this book 3 stars because while it was enjoyable and I definitely wanted to know who the killer was and how the person I suspected it was got onto the ship without being recognized by the MC, there was a lot of gory descriptions I could have done without. That said, I do read true crime and other such heavy type books, but this just struck me as over the top. The plot was good and there simply wasn't a need, imo, for the heavy-handedness with the vivid descriptions of dead people's body parts.

I also took exception to the fact that not much was made about the MC's fiancee until after a particular trait was exposed of the killer's and suddenly, as a red herring, the fiancee is doing the same thing.

This is marketed as a thriller and even a serial killer thriller so I probably should have been less surprised by what I read. Please do not let my issues with descriptions make you skip this book if you're interested in it. I do recommend it with that one caveat. I've seen that these authors have other books out and I do believe I'll check them out.

Thank you to Netgalley, the authors, and publisher for an ARC at my request. All opinions are my own.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

This mystery started out with Wyatt Butler on trial for a string of horrific murders. One of the jurors is not certain "beyond a reasonable doubt" and voted not guilty. The accused is set free!

A year later, Maria, a professor at Columbia University and one of the jurors, is on a cruise with her 2 children and her finance. The murders begin again on board ship. Who is responsible - Butler or a copycat?

This is the ultimate "closed room" mystery; nobody is safe and nobody is beyond suspicion!

This was a really good read to me, from the characters to the plot to the twist I think it was well done. It was a faster paced novel, but still packed a strong punch. I was thoroughly engaged throughout and towards the end I was on the edge of my seat eager to find out what would happen next. I would note that this may be slightly more graphic and gruesome than other suspense novels, but oh it's a great twist.

I thought the plot of this book was well done - I was very interested from the start.

Maria is a professor of psychology at Colombia University, who was a juror at the trial of a serial killer who was found not guilty. When all of the jurors and their families receive hate mail, threats, and lots of unwanted publicity, she holds a press conference and announces that she was the one juror who voted not guilty and allowed the defendant to walk free.

Towards the end of a year's sabbatical after her announcement, she, her fiance and her twin children take a 12 day cruise from the US to the UK. While on board, people are being murdered in ways that Maria recognizes as the defendant's MO. Is he onboard? Is he coming after her and her kids? Is there a copycat on board? Is she a suspect?

As Maria works with the onboard security, the tension escalates, and various plot twists are revealed.

Unfortunately the writing fell flat for me - it just didn't flow well. Lots of choppy short sentences and sudden changes of direction. The characters felt flat too - and although the plot generated some tension I didn't feel very invested in any of the characters. The ending was good - which did help the book.

Two years ago, Maria Fontana, the head of the Columbia University psychology department, was one of twelve jurors in Wyatt Butler’s trial. Butler has been accused of murdering eight children. When the sensationalized trial ends in a mistrial as a result of one juror, the twelve jurors discover they are the focus of continual harassment.

After being urged to take a sabbatical, Maria decides to focus on her new relationship and her 11-year-old twins and take a two-week transatlantic cruise. Just as she’s starting to feel relaxed, a passenger is brutally murdered…and it’s similar to Butler’s style. Suddenly, she’s confronted with an ironic thought….she’s stuck on a boat in the middle of the ocean with a serial killer on board…one she set free!

What an intense read! An avid cruiser, I was able to picture the scenes in my head as the family enjoyed their first 6 days at sea. I know too well how it feels to plop on a deck chair exhausted and have the sea breeze, frozen margaritas, and poolside melodies soothe my overworked soul. The setting adds to the tension and the multiple points of view not only allow for twists but also create suspense. The author is able to describe the cruise ship experience with vivid details, allowing readers to become more involved in the engaging plot. However, it’s unnerving and slightly graphic at times. I struggled with the victims being children and wondered if it would have worked just as well if adult victims were chosen?

Inspired from years of doing Impractical Jokers cruises, it’s the duos first at-sea thriller and although it lacks some character development, it makes up for it in serial killer intensity. The unpredictable ending will hit you like a rogue wave.

Publishes September 21, 2021.

I was gifted this advance copy by James S. Murray, Darren Wearmouth, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

This was a great read. A little slower at times but I still really enjoyed it. I have never read this author before but it was good reading and kept me engaged and entertained. Thanks NetGalley

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free ebook copy of this title in exchange for my review.

This was supposed to be a suspenseful thriller, fast paced and exciting. That's not how it felt as I kept plodding through this book. There were some points that were exciting and fast paced and got me excited, but then it would all fall flat. The character developments felt really flat and one dimensional too, and that left it hard for me to really get engaged with the overall story.