The set up is probably the best part of the book. It’s a slow build, but a good one; Our Hero, Kai, is adrift in London as his career as a successful music producer and DJ has declined. He has a new relationship with the daughter of a Russian oligarch, and when she is summoned to join her parents on their yacht in the Caribbean, Kai accepts her invitation to join them. However, Sinister Forces are at work and the family are under threat. We also meet Erin, the supremely competent First Mate of the yacht; she and Kai don’t get on at all to begin with…and of course, I wouldn’t dream of giving away any spoilers about that or subsequent developments on the yacht.
It reminded me rather of some old Alistair MacLean thrillers; decent protagonists battling evil, an unlikely but rather obvious romance - plus a little added modern geopolitics. It’s competently written, there’s plenty of action and the aftermath plays out for some time – too long, in my view, so that it got more than a little silly by the end. Nonetheless, it did hold my attention despite having to suspend disbelief, sometimes from a considerable height.
This would make a good beach read in that it’s quite enjoyable but rather readily disposable. 3.5 stars rounded up.
My thanks to Quercus Books for an ARC via NetGalley.)
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