Wyatt Butler sits in a courtroom, charged as a serial killer who terrorized and brutally killed eight children. Maria Fontana is one of the unfortunate jury who has to listen to the grisly details and look at the horrendous photographs. Butler is the opposite of remorseful. Everyone expects a quick verdict from the jury but they are hung. Eleven for guilty, one innocent. The end result is that Butler is set free.

The press is determined to find out who the lone juror was who set Butler free. After weeks of being hounded by the press, Maria holds a press conference and states that she was the innocent vote. She is reviled in the press and in a book written about the case. Victims hold her in disgust and blame her. She was the head of the psychology department at Columbia University, but all the publicity leads the administration to make her take an unplanned year long sabbatical.

At the end of her sabbatical, Maria goes on a cruise with her eleven year old twins and her fiancé. They have fun at first but then strange things start to happen on the cruise. A death is reported then a child goes overboard during the night. Maria starts to suspect that Butler is on the cruise and as more and more deaths occur, even the ship's security force agrees. He seems to be targeting Maria and her family. Can he be found before he kills again?

This was a suspenseful novel. Butler was an archetypical killer with the added horror of choosing child victims. There are lots of twists and turns and surprises and the reader is compelled to continue to find out what will happen next and whether Maria can find the killer. I listened to this novel and the narrator's voice was effective at building suspense. This book is recommended for mystery readers.

I've been reading the novels of these two since their debut, Awakened--because who doesn't like subway monsters, right? But if I'm being brutally honest, I feel like every single title since then has been just a little bit worse. Well, it's a toss up whether the mega-spider or this one was worse, but I will admit that the phrase "phone it in" crossed my mind when reading both.

Look, I understand that these are not written to be literary masterpieces, and clearly I have an appreciation for this kind of silly genre fluff. Still, there's something to be said for narrative integrity and simply not being stupid. It would be nice to have characters with just a smidge of depth and personality. I set the bar for their brand of fiction reasonably low, and they haven't even come close to clearing it in recent years. I always perk up and pay attention when I see they have a new book coming, but unless they write something I just can't resist, I'm probably going to take a pass next time. We'll all be happier.

This was such an interesting listen! It had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I am typically good about figuring out the ending of thriller/mystery books however this one had me stumped. If you are looking for a good listen/read this ones for you!

This was my first book by James S. Murray but am totally familiar with him in Impractical Jokers. To be honest, I didn't really kn0w what to expect from him. I've heard great things about his writing but I guess I couldn't take him seriously knowing the show he is on! But I loved it!
Such a fast paced thriller, that keeps you guessing until the end! Every time that I had thought that I had figured it out, they would throw in twist that left you completely clueless. I am looking forward to my next read by him!

This is the fifth book I've read from the combined authors of Murray and Wearmouth. I thought I knew going into it what I was getting into but this book took a pleasant turn and surprised me quite a bit. The four other books I've read from them would be classified as creature features (ironically one of them was mentioned in this - one of the passengers was reading Don't Move. 

The Stowaway opens up on a murder trial and I honestly had to make sure I was reading the right book. With a title like The Stowaway and a cruise ship on the front I was thinking "what the heck is this". But it opens with the brutal murders of these children and focuses on some of the jurors. Well, I quickly found out why and I thought that was an interesting and unique way of setting up the back and forth and the "vengeance" angle. 

This was one of those books that were creepy and gory without being overdone. I think that Murr and Wearmouth were able to walk that tightrope line of being an interesting story about a serial killer without making it all about the murders. Sure they come up - but it was as much about the present and the mind of the killer as it was about the actual murders. 

Being trapped on a cruise ship with a stone-cold killer would be terrifying, and being on there with him after being on the jury to convict him... wow what an idea. And honestly, I think that they got it right. Once they got onto the ship and I started to think like Maria (trying to figure out where/who he was) I absolutely flew through the book. I think I finished it in two or three sittings. 

I also loved the narration by Barrie Kreinik. She nailed it and my biggest complaint about the other books was the narration - so going with a female protagonist and narrator really eased some of my issues.

It has been a rough few years for Maria Fontana, so she wraps up her sabbatical from Columbia University by taking her kids and fiance on a Transatlantic cruise. She knows she needs the vacation, but she is worried about being recognized by the thousands of passengers. Two years ago, Maria sat on the jury of a high profile serial killer case where she was the only juror to vote not-guilty. The whole world thought that Wayne Butler was guilty, making Maria practically a pariah. Now it is two years later and dead bodies are showing up on the cruise ship. Dead bodies with elements very reminiscent of Wayne Butler. It terrified Maria that her nightmares are about to come true and someone is on the ship stalking her. And then Maria's kids go missing. They are in the middle of the Atlantic ocean and are trapped on a cruise ship with a madman. Will they be able to find the killer before somebody else dies?


I admit it. I miss cruising. It has been over two years since our last cruise, thanks to COVID. I have read a few books set on cruise ships recently and The Stowaway was one of the more realistic ones. From their boarding experience to the description of buffet lines, I could picture both from my most recent cruise. It also terrified me as the body count rose. Especially the victim playing basketball. Ai-yi-yi - that was blood chilling. Where can you go to escape a serial killer on a cruise ship? CLICK HERE FOR SPOILERS. I also want to give you a warning that The Stowaway is fairly graphic. Not just sensitive victims, but gruesome. The authors set it up for a sequel, but I am not sure that I am invested enough in Maria to read another one.



Bottom Line - While The Stowaway took the edge off of my cruise envy, it also scared the crap out of me and will leave me rethink any plans to put myself in the middle of the ocean with no escape.


Details:

The Stowaway by James S. Murray and Darren Wearmouth
Pages: 320
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: 9/21/2021
Buy it Here!
Thank you to NetGalley for the book for a revie

When I saw that this book was written by Murr, I had to seize the opportunity to listen to it. I had no idea that James S. Murray had co-authored several books in the past. This book’s description seemed right in my wheelhouse.

If you listen to audiobooks, I highly recommend that you listen to this one. The narrator did an excellent job distinguishing between the characters’ voices and the story itself was excellent. It had the perfect mix of gruesome horror and mystery thriller. The fact that it takes place on a cruise ship with no way off the boat adds a level of fear that I haven’t come across in a long time.

I read and enjoyed this duo's AWAKENED trilogy - originally drawn to them not only because I adore a good creature feature, but also because one of the authors is "Murr" from IMPRACTICAL JOKERS. Their latest, this serial killer thriller, is a bit different but no less entertaining. I admit that I had hoped that Murr would perform the audio - but the female narrator fit the perspective much better. It's a gripping listen that really reels in the reader from the very start when the main character, Maria, is on a jury for a serial killer case. The trial's ending leaves the jury becoming famous in their own right. Continuing to be haunted by the case, psychologist Maria eventually takes a leave of absence from her work. With her twin children and her fiancé, they embark on an Atlantic cruise. But what's supposed to be a pleasurable escape soon becomes a locked room mystery on the high seas.

The plot takes a few genuinely surprising turns - and definitely has some horrific violence. The ending suggests that this might not be the last we see of Maria, too, which is exciting as I grew to quite like her. The police on the cruise ship are also well developed. I really enjoyed listening to this one and especially loved the inclusion of the interview with the authors at the end of the audiobook. I liked listening and definitely always found myself eager to pick this one back up. It's fast-paced and I imagine would be best enjoyed while actually being on a cruise! A great summer thriller!

I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook of The Stowaway by James S. Murray and Darren Wearmouth. This was the first book that I have read by this duo of very talented authors. Since both authors admitted during an interview at the conclusion of the audiobook that a sequel to The Stowaway was a real possibility, I am quite confident that I can look forward to reading more books by these authors. The audiobook was brilliantly narrated by the very talented Barrie Kreinik. The characters were unique and well developed. I particularly liked the character of Maria Fontana. She was strong, intelligent, loving, career oriented, a good mother, able to think clearly in very tense moments and determined to keep her family safe. Maria Fontana was the head of the psychology department at Columbia University.

Maria Fantana was picked as a juror for a very publicized case. Wyatt Butler, an antique watch restorer, was on trial for murdering children in horrific ways. The graphic photos submitted for evidence had all the jurors sick to their stomachs. How could such a monster exist? The jurors had the ability to convict him and put him away. One juror could not convict him though. That juror felt that the evidence was too circumstantial. Therefore, a mistrial was called and the deranged killer was set free. After the trial, Maria was suspected as being the juror that could not find Wyatt Butler guilty. It was hard for Maria to move past the trial. She and her family were being harassed and her dreams were still occupied by the gruesome images of those poor children that she saw in court. After much time, Maria was finally able to feel somewhat like her old self. Her boyfriend suggested that all of them, Maria, her twins and himself, should go on a cruise. It sounded like a great idea but was it?

The Stowaway was a fast paced, edge of your seat, suspenseful and thrilling murder mystery. The characters were believable and well developed but The Stowaway was most definitely plot driven. There were lots of twists and turns. It was very hard to pull myself away from listening to this audiobook. The ending was well done. I must warn you though that parts of this book were very disturbing. The authors did not spare any of the gruesome details of how the killer’s murder victims were killed but rather chose to describe them quite graphically. I cringed at some of the descriptions. Despite the graphically described scenes where the murdered children were discovered i really enjoyed this book. I look forward to reading the next book by James S. Murray and Darren Wearmouth.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to this audiobook through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Well…there are murder mysteries, suspense stories, and then, your normal, every day “slasher” story. And “The Stowaway” by James S. Murray and Darren Wearmouth, definitely falls into the slasher category. I outgrew my love (lust) for slasher books and movies in my early 20’s so I struggled to complete reading, and listening, to “The Stowaway.” Alternatively, I have read enough books down through the years to have a discerning taste for a high quality slasher story and a low brow slasher story. I am sad to write that this book falls into the latter category.

Or, this book is a “send up” of slasher/ horror tales. Perhaps the buckets of blood and the gruesome murders of children are a campy tale not unlike the brilliant zombi movie “Day of the Dead.” Now that I finished the book I am going to surf the net to read any interviews starring the authors.

Despite my poor review I thank NetGalley for both the kindle version and the audio version of “The Stowaway.”

I loved it! I am a huge fan of James Murray from Impractical Jokers so to see his creative writing skills come to life in a gruesome thriller was exciting to me. I really enjoyed the main character along with several twists and turns that had me hooked. I felt that the narrator did a fantastic job, and it was easy to follow along. I highly recommend this book to my Serial Killer Thriller fans!

Let me start by saying that I will read ANYTHING narrated by Barrie Kreinik. However, going into this I had no idea she was the narrator, so when I found myself thoroughly enjoying the narration I had to see who it was and realized it was one of my two favorite narrators - no wonder I loved her so much! She once again has managed to really bring the story to life and keep my interest throughout - though I don't think this thriller would have needed her help! This was filled with drama and had my heart racing for the majority of it. The race to figure out where the serial killer on the boat was really had me on the edge of my seat. I was so enamored with the main character. She was so strong, smart, and full of wit. She is exactly what I need in a strong female character in a thriller novel. She was the perfect balance between emotional and logical. There are no huge shocking twists, but there is plenty of drama and intrigue to make this a worthwhile thriller. I've never read a thriller set on a cruise ship so I really enjoyed this part of the novel just as much as the backstory leading up to the cruise. Overall, I thought this was delightful and very entertaining. The ending was perfect. I could have done without the epilogue but I'm hoping that means we will see a sequel with Maria Fontana in the future.

If you love a good murder mystery, this book takes that love to a different level. I mean stuck on a boat in the middle of the ocean with a serial killer? Or is it a copy cat? Was this all planned? How do you even come up with that?

The twists and turns, tales and descriptions in the book were first class. It took me on an adventure, right along side the characters. While I didn't want to put it down, it also made me question every little noise I heard at night!
The Stowaway really got me into the story. One benefit of the audiobook version? There were so many times where I found myself actually talking out loud to the characters. Especially a few "No! Don't go in there!"

And the ending... let's just say that it looks like there is more to come from the twisted minds of these authors. And I am here for all of it!

I requested this book because the author was James Murray. However, this story was very intriguing. I did not suspect the ending at all. I truly was on the edge of my seat throughout this whole book. I found the fact that it was mainly based on a cruise ship. This was a new idea for me.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book. All opinons are my own.

I am more than half way through this book and it's just too gruesome for me to continue. I think this book should be labeled as horror rather than mystery/thriller. The fact that the first victims were all children and the descriptions are so detailed, there should be a trigger warning on this book!!

Since I didn't finish it I will not post my opinion on purchasing sites. but I am posting it on Goodreads as a caution and trigger warning for those of us who can't tolerate violence against children, mutilation, etc

Thank you

For some reason, I haven’t seen this one around much, but it was excellent! I actually ended up doing this whole book through audio and it did a great job of keeping my attention. The narrators voice was also a perfect fit. For me audiobooks make me feel more immersed in the story, and added in an extra element of fear to this story.

In this book an ex jury member who was the deciding vote on an alleged serial killer being set free is on a transatlantic cruise where passengers are being found murdered and the ship goes into lockdown.

I’m not much for serial killer books, but I love vacation gone wrong books so this ended up being a great mix. The book literally had me on edge, and was a great mix of atmosphere and action. I will say this book will not be for everyone, if one of your trigger warnings is children, I would avoid reading or listening to this one. At times this one is definitely graphic and horrifying, as serial killer books often are.

If you are looking for a serial killer book with vacation gone wrong elements give this one a read or a listen!

Thank you @macmillan.audio @stmartinspress @netgalley for my audio and digital copies!

Trapped on a cruise ship with a serial killer, mother, professor and former juror Maria has to race to save her children and thwart the revenge plans of the person intent on killing her. This story kept me on the edge of my seat from page one. A new to me pair of authors, the story was great on audio narrated by Barrie Kreinik (a favorite narrator of mine). Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ALC!

CW: some graphic scenes of violence and violence against children

I am sadden to report that this book was a fail for me. I had been looking forward to reading it when I saw it a few months back. The premise is what drew me in and made me want to read this book.

I listened to this on audio. The narrator was fine but the narrator could not help the story be better. The main character, Maria was alright but at least she was better then the rest of the characters. They were just annoying and unhelpful. Everyone acted like Maria was stupid. Yet, even when the first body was discovered, the captain and security did not act with urgency.

The pacing never got above a five. If you are a reader like me who have read many thrillers, then you will probably figure out early on the plot of the story. By the time the story was wrapping up I was over it.

I received the audio version of this book. I have to say that after all of the reviews, I honestly really liked this book! I enjoyed the narrator, I really felt Maria's panic while searching for the Stowaway, I really felt the characters were done well and I did find them likable.

I was into this story right away. I got through it very quickly, and I would recommend it for mystery/thriller readers.

Unfortunately, I didn’t end up enjoying The Stowaway. While I did really like the premise (a serial killer loose on a cruise ship), I found the writing mediocre & filled with cliches. If you like Jimmy Patterson’s books, you will probably enjoy The Stowaway much more than I did.

*Thanks MacMillan Audio & NetGalley for an advanced listeners copy in exchange for an honest review