‘All at Sea’ by Jonathan Whitelaw

Published by HarperNorth,
12 February 2026.
ISBN:  978-0-00870594-7 (PB)

A group of minor celebrities are invited to take part in a new TV reality show which will take place on a luxury yacht. Rather than being wined and dined in style on the proposed seven-day cruise, they arrive at the port of Livorno to be given their roles as crew members catering for the needs of a small number of high-paying international guests. 

Things go awry on the first day when the ship’s captain is found slumped over the wheel with a knife in his back in the control room. To make matters worse, both the engine and the coms system have been sabotaged so they can no longer drive the ship nor summon help. 

The show’s director sees the situation as an opportunity to attract even greater viewers by persuading has-been Hollywood actor Howie Temple and influencer Cassandra Troy to be filmed acting as detectives interviewing the other crew members until the real police arrive to investigate. 

The plot moves along at breakneck speed with the situation lurching from one crisis to another. The only thing Howie and Cassandra can rely on is each other. As the two learn more about their fellow crew – an inept disgraced British politician, an Australian alternative thinker who thinks herself above everyone else and is not afraid to voice her opinions and an ex-footballer from Germany with plenty of muscle but very little common sense. All are looking for the chance to boost their careers or salvage their sagging image, but is that a motive for murder? 

Written in a straightforward, humorous style, I found the story absorbing and totally unpredictable. It made the book difficult to put down as I kept turning the page to find out what the two would-be detectives would have to cope with next. 

A fun romp for those looking for a cozy mystery perfect for curling up with on a cold winter’s day or as a summer beach read.
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Reviewer: Judith Cranswick  

Jonathan Whitelaw is a writer, award-winning journalist and broadcaster. After working on the frontline of Scottish politics, he moved into journalism, covering everything from sports to music to radioactive waste – and everything in between.He's also a regular reviewer, podcaster, panellist and commentator. His latest book - The Village Hall Vendetta - is published from HarperNorth and is the follow-up to 2022's The Bingo Hall Detectives. 

Judith Cranswick was born and brought up in Norwich. Apart from writing, Judith’s great passions are travel and history. Both have influenced her two series of mystery novels. Tour Manager, Fiona Mason takes coach parties throughout Europe, and historian Aunt Jessica is the guest lecturer accompanying tour groups visiting more exotic destinations aided by her nephew Harry. Her published novels also include several award-winning standalone psychological thrillers. She wrote her first novel (now languishing in the back of a drawer somewhere) when her two children were toddlers, but there was little time for writing when she returned to her teaching career. Now retired, she is able to indulge her love of writing and has begun a life of crime! ‘Writers are told to write what they know about, but I can assure you, I've never committed a murder.
I'm an ex-convent school headmistress for goodness sake!’
Her most recent book is  Journey To Casablanca  

http://judithcranswick.co.uk/