A review by crafalsk264
The Stowaway by James S. Murray, Darren Wearmouth

challenging dark mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

WARNING: This book has graphic violence and includes murder and dismemberment of children.

Maria Fontana, her fiancé Steve, and her children are taking a luxury cruise to Europe. Maria is taking a sabbatical in England in order to get away from reporters and the public who are harassing her, threatening herself and her family. All of this comes to a head when Maria held a press conference to announce that she was the juror who voted to acquit Wyatt Butler. Butler is an accused serial killer who was known for the very gory murders of child victims. Because of Maria, he has been released back into the world.

As the ship is out to sea, strange things begin to happen. A decapitated corpse is discovered bearing a signature of Butler’s kills but all passengers and crew are accounted for. Maria begins to feel as if she is being watched, a child disappears another is found gruesomely murdered. Maria joins forces with the ship’s chief of security to locate and capture the killer. 

The book was fast paced,  the mystery is well crafted and the characters, while not well developed are sufficiently developed to advance the story. My biggest problem with this book  was the gruesome, graphic violence especially when used against children. If I had known just how graphic the violence was, I would not have started this book. Once begun I kept hoping each scene would be the last one but they just got worse. I would not recommend to any reader who has problems with graphic violence against children.