Caroline Riley (she prefers 'Caz') is middle-aged and has found herself somewhat surprisingly in love with Pete. They're off on a cruise to New York on Atlantica. Caz's sister, Gemma, reckons that Pete is going to propose but Caz hasn't spotted a ring-shaped bulge in his suit pocket and she doesn't know whether she's relieved or disappointed. They've not been a couple for that long and the trip will be an excellent opportunity to get to know him a bit better. Meanwhile, Gemma is looking after Caz's cafe as well as their mother who has dementia. It's going to be good, isn't it?
| The Last Passenger by Will Dean | |
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| Category: Thrillers | |
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Reviewer: Sue Magee
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| Summary: A thriller with a touch of horror which keeps you guessing to the very end and then delivers a jaw-dropping finish. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 496 | Date: May 2023 |
| Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton | |
| ISBN: 978-1529382822 | |
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The first evening goes well - they have a heart-to-heart about something in Caz's background which means that she won't go near the casino. When Caz wakes up in the morning, she reaches out to Pete's side of the bed - but he's not there. When she explores further, all the cabin doors are wedged open and not a soul is to be found. Eventually, she finds three other people on board - Daniel, Smith and Francine. Smith's a bit of an anarchist - when he's discovered he's raiding the on-board jewellery shop for as many high-end watches as he can fit on his arms and carefully destroying the paperwork so they can't be traced back to him.
Daniel's in his thirties and he's essentially on board as a lifestyle coach. He has a calming influence on Caz. Francine is in her early twenties and came on board with her parents. She's sensible but obviously worried and very frightened. I'm not going to tell you what's happened - you need to find that out for yourself - but initially, I really couldn't see a way out of the situation. The four were trapped on the ship with no food and little liquid other than alcohol. I had to remind myself that this was Will Dean and I was in safe hands - this was bound to be a good story.
What is particularly well done is the development of the group dynamics. They're out in the middle of the ocean and it's lawless. There's no authority to determine how they're treated or how they treat each other and it can only get worse once the possibility of a large sum of money comes into the equation. The situation does descend into horror at one point and I had a strong temptation to turn away. It's well done but not something you'll forget quickly.
The solution is satisfying but don't relax yet - there is a jaw-dropping ending.
I'd like to thank the publishers for letting Bookbag have a review copy.
I knew Will Dean was top-class because I'm a fan of Tuva Moodyson.
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