Dangerous Crossing

by Rachel Rhys

Though apprehensively, Lily Shepherd is embarking on the adventure of a lifetime.  Taking advantage of a government program, she boards a ship bound for Australia joining a few other young ladies looking for work and a change.  Lily finds herself sharing cocktails and dinner with members of society that would otherwise, not look at her twice.  As the voyage progresses, rumors of a new war arise and tensions among the passengers along with them. 

Readers looking for a straight up ‘who done it’ might be disappointed picking up this novel.  I encourage those readers to step outside their box and indulge in something different.  Rhys has given us a protagonist that is strong but unreliable.  On one page you are sympathetic towards her, the next one you want to slap her!  There are many characters within this story that are unreliable.  The world has just survived the first World War and the farther the ship moves from the European stage the more erratic the passengers behave.  Rhys packs in and addresses many issues within this story skillfully.  Though this title is being marketed as a mystery, the real story lies within the small group surrounding Lily.  As each mile falls away and they move closer to their destination, the created facades of each character slowly peel away.  It’s an interesting look at the effect of the coming war from those on the other side of the world.  The story will stay with you.

I wish to thank NetGalley and the publisher for generously providing an Advanced Readers Copy for my honest review.

PUB:  Atria Books

PUB DATE: January 9, 2018

ISBN:  9781501162725

Genre:  Historical Fiction