After her best friend steals her boyfriend, Jade is more than ready to set sail on the Campus on Board ship where she’ll be studying and traveling for four months. However, when her backstabbing friend and ex show up, things take a turn for the worse as students start dropping like flies.

LYING IN THE DEEP by Diana Urban is a twisty, locked-room, destination thriller with a wide cast of characters.

I find it hard to review this one because I really enjoyed the first quarter of this book - it had everything I love in a YA thriller, and was just an overall fun time!

But things took a nosedive starting with the way the characters behaved and were portrayed. They’re meant to be college-aged, but are extremely immature and naive, which both annoyed me and made me question a million of their actions.

On that point, I love when characters go all armchair detective on me, but our main girl, Jade, seemed to go a little over the top and had me scratching my head at where any of her sense of logic was coming from.

The twist was fun, until it also felt a bit outlandish and forced…

I’m definitely an outlier here, but if you pick this one up, prepare for a wild ride either way.

Thanks to NetGalley, Penguin, and Razorbill for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Publication Date: May 2

3.5/5 stars

Jade is a college student boarding a semester at sea (Campus On Board/CoB). She’s excited to see the world and get some time away, until she sees her ex-best friend and ex-boyfriend also boarding the ship.

The first half of this book and the second half feel like completely different stories, held together by the same annoying main character. Her “oops, sorry, didn’t mean to, promise to go the therapy” after the incident in the library was ridiculous. The first half is incredibly whiny and I barely got through it. Obviously I knew what was coming from the description and the prologue, but it was hard to get through.

Things started picking up in the second half and everyone was a suspect of something. Once I got to that point I read it in one sitting because it was captivating (albeit not the most believable). It was just brutal getting there.

Also, everyone sounds like high school students. I know is classified as YA, but they sounded like 16 year olds, not 20ish year olds who had been in college for a bit already.

I will say the ending was interesting, although I think that an epilogue could have worked here to wrap up one final loose end.

Big thanks to Diana Urban, Penguin Group and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

3.5⭐️s

Plot: 4/5
Writing: 3/5
Ending: 4/5

Basic Plot: girl goes on college experience on a cruise ship, runs into her ex-bff and ex-bf who got together and ghosted her, then ex-bff is no where to be found but blood is covering her room, girl is suspect

My Thoughts:

Okay so to begin with the MC, Jade, is VERY ANNOYING. We get it girl, your ex-bf hooked up with your BFF and they both block you - I would be upset too. But to start the book out with ways you would murder her is a bit much. I felt like this was more of a high-school aged girl and kept forgetting that no, Jade was in fact in college. Not saying that college girl drama is much better but to obsess over it like this felt like a high-schooler thing.

But once we got into the mystery itself, I was hooked. Missing girl and room covered in blood, ex-bf suddenly wants to talk to Jade and there's a new romance element involved too. Very dramatic and very bingeable. The plot kept me entertained throughout the story because of course, we want to know what happened to Lainey, and then suddenly others are getting murdered too?! Plus they are all stuck on a ship, hours from the nearest city. It was all very complicated and a bit over the top - but hey it's a mystery/thriller, we will let it slide.

Ending, while did take a bit of a turn, worked out for me overall. I was able to look back at the story and see where everything fit into place and I did miss the clues that would lead you to the answer. I did guess part of the plot but overall how it was done surprised me. THEN she throws that final TWIST in the end, and I was like Diana I love it.

Overall, this was a 3.5 star read for me. While I do highly recommend it for fans of teen murder mysteries - there were some things that bothered me about the writing. It just felt a little juvenile, even for a YA book. Then there were points where it just felt like the same thing was happening over and over and I was ready to be done. It definitely could have been a little shorter.




SPOILERS BELOW - read at your own risk!











- First off, Jade - you are over here pining for Silas and taking his side for EVERYTHING when HE was the one who supposedly DUMPED your ass over text. Why are you pissed at Lainey? Like I get it - but he was apart of it too. Why does every story like this end up with the girl never blaming the guy and blaming the girl? This was part of the reason why I still claim it felt like a high-school story not a college one.

- THEN Jade you are pining for Silas and feeling bad for fake dating Felix - but suddenly a switch flips and you are IN LOVE with him??!! This just didn't make sense to me at all and their little love proclamations at the end had me straight up EYE ROLLING. Again, high school level drama, not college.

- Don't even get me started on the METH angle.... I felt at this point it was like the author has never been around drugs at all but was like you know what... let's have them do METH. I don't know much about meth either but I feel like there are some stepping stones before that, that could of easily seemed just as bad that these kids were doing. Meth just seemed a little over the top. Why not just weed, or maybe some cocaine? Meth doesn't seem like something some college kids are just going to get into - but honestly, who knows. Weed or cocaine or even Adderall seems like drug of choice for most college people these days.

- Felix honestly seemed suspect the entire book and I just knew he had something to do with it. He was too adamant that Silas did it and wasn't able to look at anyone else. From the ending, I get the angle, but still it was too obvious. Silas as well was too suspicious. All of a sudden Lainey disappears and he's just ready to talk to Jade and act like nothing happened.

- I LOVED the ending where Lainey's dad (whoops forgot his name already - Damion or something) shows up and just shoots Silas. That came so far out of left field and I liked that it surprised me as much as it did. I still wanted a little more wrap-up in the end. Maybe an epilogue that let us know where Lainey was at, what happened with the pharmaceutical company and if indeed Jade and Felix ever reconnected.

Once the beginning part was over this book was a past paced who dun it. The ending had some great twists! The drama in the beginning was just a hit too dramatic for me but after that was over it kicked into gear. I think I was actually surprised by the ending which I thought I had all figured out.

Are you looking for a fast, engaging read you will not want to put down?! Enjoy a good YA thriller - look no further!

Main character Jade is ready to move on with her life after getting her heart broken into a million pieces. She is heading out on an adventure of a lifetime - 11 countries while studying abroad on a "Campus on Broad" ship (CoB as referenced in the book). When she sees that her ex-boyfriend and her ex-best friend who are now a couple show up to set sail, things take a crazy turn - we all hate that encounter done we?!. A shocking murder takes place on the ship, and their group of friends try to figure out who did it, more people begin to die. Jade is a primary suspect, and she tries to clear her name while trying to figure out who is the murderer!

There were so many twists in this book, I lost count. This was such a "Knives Out" vibe, that I had no idea where it was going. Even up until the very last few pages, I was gasping out loud at some things!

I loved the character development throughout this book too! Every single character mentioned had their own story and by the end, I feel like everyone had wrapped nicely and I had no questions left! There was a lot of drama to keep up with, but Diana Urban wrote it nicely so there wasn't nothing left at the end and it wasn't rushed.Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, Razorbill & NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating:3.5/5
I love mystery novels that have a locked room, almost claustrophobic feel to them, but I have mixed feelings about this one. It dragged on for almost 40%. The MC's internal feelings and self-pity were boring, but it picked up pace after the 40-45% mark. 'Lying in the deep' is full of unforeseen twists and turns.. I thought I'd figured out the plot twist, but I totally hadn't. The ending saved it for me. I'd recommend this book to those who enjoy a good whodunnit YA mystery that'll leave you guessing until the end!

This one was a very mixed bag for me.
What I liked:
* college kids studying on a cruise ship for a semester abroad (I've heard about this and it sounds so amazing)
* I loved visiting foreign places through the book
* the first half was stronger than the second half for me
* the guessing kept me very interested for awhile

What I struggled with:
* Jade's internal dialogue was very repetitive at times, and the dialogue among the main characters was cheesy at times
* the choices of the characters were just so........stupid and immature at times. Yes this features college students who make poor choices often, but this just stretched into outlandish territory more than I could buy into
* I could believe the journey to determining who the killer was, but what happens in the end with all of the characters was just too far-fetched.

When I read the premise of Lying in the Deep I was so excited, and the book did not disappoint. I read it in two sittings, racing to find out whodunnit. It felt like a YA Agatha Christie style murder mystery--with a cast of suspicious characters, intriguing backstories, and some great twists at the end. I loved the setting on the cruise ship, as well as how we got a taste of the different cities they stopped in. I loved the soapy thrill of it all and would definitely recommend!

Semester-at-Sea-meets-murder is an excellent premise for a mystery. However, this one didn't deliver. The first almost 20% is focused on Jade's falling out with her ex and her former best friend. The plot dragged and made it hard to connect with any of the characters. Additionally, everyone came off somewhat one-dimensional. This book was a miss for me, but I will definitely try something else by the author.

I was given an ARC in exchange for honest review.

A fast paced, whodunnit set aboard a cruise ship. This was so fun and unexpected. While I had some suspicions early on, I never could have figured out exactly what happened! The ending felt a little incomplete, but I greatly enjoyed this one!

Content Warning: drug use, death, violence

Taking classes on a cruise ship? This is definitely something I would have wanted to do while I was in college! And I think this setting made this story even more fascinating. I loved the travel aspect of it, because they did stop at ports to do some sightseeing.

But this story is focused on Jade and the heartbreak and betrayal she endured from her ex-best friend, Lainey and her ex-boyfriend, Silas. She assumes this semester away at sea would help her move forward but when she sees the both of them on the ship with her, things get messy. Jade is all in her feelings about missing Lainey and Silas, hurt that now they are together, and angry that they betrayed her. So when Lainey is missing from her room with just a room full of blood – Jade is suspect number one!

I think the cast of characters did a really good job of leading us away from the real suspect. I had my suspicions and I kind of was right. I didn’t want to be right though, so I’m glad I was partially right! Felix is someone Jade gets to know on the ship but he’s mysterious and she doesn’t know what his deal is. I loved them together. There was even a moment of fake-dating between them, but the two of them investigating Lainey’s disappearance was really fun. There were a few times I wished Jade would let go of her jealousy and anger but I can understand where she is coming from.

There is suspense, mystery, and so much drama between new friends and lovers, and a really good twist in the story. Also it’s another book set in college, which I’m happy about because we need more.

Why you should read it:
*entertaining and full of suspense, mystery and even a little romance
*a good plot twist

Why you might not want to read it:
*not into suspense

My Thoughts:

This one was a fun read especially because the romance brewing between Felix and Jade was a nice edition! I read it in one sitting because I really was invested on trying to figure out what happened to Lainey and if Jade was maybe an unreliable narrator at some point! This is the second book I’ve read from this author and have really enjoyed both. I look forward to reading more from this author!

"Lying in the Deep" is a thrilling cruise ship novel that had me hooked from the first page. I devoured it in just two days and was thoroughly entertained throughout.

The story follows Jade, who is excited to embark on a semester at sea after a rough patch in her personal life. However, things take a turn for the worse when she discovers that her ex-boyfriend and former best friend are also on board. To make matters worse, someone on the ship is murdered, and everyone is a suspect.

Diana Urban expertly weaves a tale of suspense and intrigue, introducing us to a cast of colorful characters who all have motives for the murder. As Jade tries to navigate her way through the investigation, she must also confront her feelings towards her ex and ex-BFF.

The setting of the cruise ship and various European ports is vividly described, transporting the reader to each location. The characters are well-developed and each has their own unique personality, making them all plausible suspects.

What I loved most about this book was the way Urban laid out the clues to the killer, only to pull the rug out from under me. I was convinced I had figured out the murderer early on, but I was wrong!

Overall, "Lying in the Deep" is a fantastic read that I highly recommend. It's a fast-paced, unputdownable thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. I can't wait to read more from Diana Urban

I enjoyed this action packed thriller quite a bit. I thought the story was overall good with some great twists at the end. I did think the beginning dragged a bit for me and felt more like high school drama than the college kids it was about, but once the mystery really got going I was definitely sucked in. Jade has been doing to do Semester at Sea since she heard about it and the timing is perfect since her boyfriend dumped her suddenly for her best friend both of whom have iced her out since. So she was shocked to discover them both in line when she waiting to get on the ship. Despite her hurt she is determined to figure out what happened even when things start happening and people start dying. She is determined to figure out what happened since so many people seem to believe it must have been her, so she and her new crush run around the ship trying to figure out what happened on a ship they are stuck on with a killer. Overall I gave this one 3.5 stars rounded up for the ending.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Diana Urban for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Lying in the Deep coming out May 2, 2023. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Jade is having a rough time after being dumped by her boyfriend Silas in a text. He cheats on her with her best friend Lainey. Jade couldn't be more ready to start the adventure of a lifetime—11 countries in 4 months, all from the luxurious Campus on Board ship. She can’t wait to get away from those that hurt her.

But then Jade discovers the backstabbing couple are joining her on the cruise. She meets new friends on board who help her enjoy her time, but her obsession with the cheaters grows and festers, leading to a murder at sea. And as her friends begin to drop dead, Jade and her new crush begin an investigation to find the murderer. Will they find the killer in time or will they be trapped at sea?

I wasn’t expecting to get this book, but I was so excited for it! The plot about a murder on a cruise sounded so fun. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I definitely want to check out other books. I loved the book and I’m obsessed with it! It was a little longer than I thought, but I thought it was action packed and full of mystery. It moved fast. I really enjoyed the characters and thought most of them were fleshed out. Jade was an interesting character. I definitely felt for her, but I think she had a strong personality. There were a couple storylines that I would’ve liked to see tidied up a little more, but maybe there will be a second book?

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys college murder mysteries at sea!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4/5 STARS

This is a YA thriller set on a ship.

Similar Books:
One of Us is Lying
We Were Liars

Synopsis:
Jade decides to take a semester at sea, traveling to 11 countries in 4 months. When her ex boyfriend and ex best friend show up on the same ship, it gets awkward. To make things worse, students start disappearing and showing up dead. Now Jade hopes she isn’t next and races to find the killer on board.

This was a fun YA mystery/ thriller. I like the setting on a ship because everything is contained. It was fun to try and guess who the killer was. Some things were predictable, but there were a few twists and turns that were not. Besides the mystery aspect, there is also college relationship drama and a sort of love triangle.

I would read more from this author!

Thank you to Penguin Teen for the ARC! 🛳️

What a book! The cover certainly doesn't do it justice. What looks like an airport paperback is really a well written YA mystery.

The backdrop is a semester at sea - the mystery is who killed the very unlikeable Lainey. Lainey is a very wealthy, very spoiled young woman who controls most rooms and wins most awards. Plenty of people on the boat might want her dead, perhaps Jade most of all. Jade is worried that she will be blamed - her ex best friend did steal her boyfriend after all. Can she solve the mystery before someone else dies?

Really loved it, lots of thrills and not too much angst - great story and settting!
#PenguinGroup #PenguinYA

This was so different than Diana Urban's other two books (which I also loved) but in the best way! I loved the studying at sea aspect of this book! It's the perfect place to write a murder mystery, knowing there is no escape for anyone. She has mastered writing fun, twisty thrillers with an ending you don't see coming! Though I was able to predict a few things in this book, definitely didn't have it all figured out. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to all YA readers and even adults!

Super enjoyable and fast paced. Read this in under 6 hours and had absolute no idea how it would end. Highly recommend!

Jade has joined in on the Campus on Board ship for the adventure of a lifetime- 11 countries in 4 months. What she did not expect was her ex best friend and ex boyfriend to be present on board as well. And then someone ends up missing and presumed murdered. As they are stuck out to sea more mysterious things keep happening. Jade and her new crush Felix set out to try to solve the mystery.

This book had an opening that captured my attention right away. The middle of the story was a little slow, but the last part of the book picked back up again. I would say this is more of a suspense rather than a thriller because it wasn't as fast paced as a usual thriller. I loved the setting of the cruise ship and felt like I had been transported worlds away to the sea. The book had a lot of twists and turns, some a little predictable, but I wasn't ever able to fully work out the details so still had the element of surprise. The book also focuses on betrayal of friends and heartbreak.

This was a great young adult read and if you enjoy that genre I think you will really enjoy this one.

Thanks to Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, Razorbill for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I had a lot of fun reading this locked room mystery aboard a cruise ship. There were lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing from the beginning to the end about what has happened and even what the true mystery is. Instead of being just one question, there are plenty and not all of them track back to the same solution. I also really enjoyed the portrayal of a friendship break up in this book, between Lainey and Jade. It felt very real between them that Jade was more upset about Lainey than about Silas and that those wounds are deeper than any other.

I also was a big fan of the characters that round out the book. Divya and Navya were really interesting to read about with their familial problems, Miguel and Tate each had their own big hurdles to overcome, and Felix was a fun highlight. I always love a brooding love interest.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.