Down Down Deep, Indeed. For those unaware, this book was previously titled Down Down Deep, and that may actually be a superior title to its more generic one it currently has (The Cruise).
Here we get a psychological, almost supernatural, thriller that becomes all too human indeed. The tension ratchets up as weird things start happening on this sailing of this cruise ship, and there are quite a few even horror elements to be had here.
There are twists a plenty, so much so that it sometimes feels like you're on Velocicoaster - they're coming so hard and so fast, and yet you're enjoying every freaking second of it. And, like Velocicoaster, as fun and intense as this read is... it is also fairly shortish, at just around 250 pages. Meaning it is yet again great for those with limited amounts of reading time.
Definitely one of the more inventive books within its space I've encountered, so much so that when I saw that this is actually in a series of sorts and that the other book is currently, as I write this review on November 14, 2024, just $0.99... yeah, I picked it up immediately just on the strength of this book. (Fwiw, that book - The Best Friends - is also a reprint/ retitle, formerly called Truth Truth Lie.)
One warning: There is a fair amount of pretty brutal action in this book at times, and it *does* deal in certain assaults that some may find more troubling than others. So be aware of that going in... and read it anyway. Yes, it really is that good.
Very much recommended.