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

mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

First book of 2024, and what a brilliant one to start with! Gruesome in some parts, excellent characters with varying backgrounds, and with a killer (no pun intended) plot. 

I believe you truly feel the frustration and mystery of the case and you really resonate with all of Maria’s thoughts and feelings throughout. These authors did a brilliant job at conveying them and an ever more brilliant job at getting the reader to feel so much too. 

It’s also worth noting that the majority of this novel was set on a cruise ship, which I thought was very interesting and I love the way they made this a part of the book!

The epilogue kinda hinted at a sequel and I would be lying if I said I wouldn’t be EXTREMELY eager to read such a novel if it ever becomes real. Overall, this was such a great book to start the year with and I’m itching to pick up another Murray and Wearmouth novel!


You think figuring out who the killer is would be the plot twist/spoiler, but that ending with Maria’s verdict was amazing! For the trauma she put herself through with revealing the verdict publicly, I really didn’t expect it all to be a farce…
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