Cruise Ship Heist - Stuart St. Paul

Cruise Ship Heist, by Stuart St Paul, is a fast-paced thriller featuring retired British commander Kieran Phillips. Kieran has accepted a position as a speaker on a cruise ship that travels along the Colombian coast, through the Panama Canal, and then on to Madeira, Spain. He is to meet up with his daughter, a dancer on the ship. When one of his co-workers finds a suitcase full of money, Kieran is unwillingly pulled into the attempt to smuggle the money onboard the Cruise Ship, receiving his money cut. But the owner of the money wants it back, and professional thieves are also looking for the money. When it becomes clear that someone on board is prepared to kill for the money the stakes are raised and become personal for Kieran. Hunter, the ship’s chief of security, has a few secrets that he shares to convince Kieran to help him apprehend the criminals on board the ship. Kieran realizes that his position on the Cruise Ship is no coincidence. He was hand-picked for his military skills. As lives are on the line and time is running out, Kieran must decide whom he can trust and if he is willing to place his life on the line. An adrenaline rush from start to finish.

Cruise Ship Heist by Stuart St Paul is a well-written thriller, the first installment in the Cruise Ship CI series. The book is well formatted and written in good taste. The plot is well thought out and has many twists and turns that keep the reader connected and unable to put the book down. The author has touched on some themes and topics that are thought-provoking and relevant, such as the wars in Iraq and Syria, the challenges facing ex-military personnel who have to transition into a civilian lifestyle, and the influence of PTSD. I liked that the book contains very little profanity and no graphic sex, and the plot is action-driven and intriguing. The characters are regular people with everyday struggles, are relatable and do not appear larger than life. It was easy to give this book a rating of  4 out of five as it was engaging to read, the proofreading and formatting were done well, and the concept is very marketable. The cover is also eye-catching and draws the potential reader, promising an exciting story in the microcosmos of a cruise ship that has its own sub-culture.