"Hugely and riotously entertaining while also being compassionate and thought-provoking, this fantasy murder-mystery is one heck of a fabulous read."
Fabulously original while paying homage to the golden age of murder mystery writing, this novel just had to be included as a LoveReading Star Book. Combining my love of fantasy and crime fiction, I can already say that this is going to be one of my favourite reads of the year. The twelve heirs to the different provinces of Concordia are on board a ship to the sacred mountain. When one of the twelve is murdered, Ganymedes the reluctant heir to the Fish province turns investigator but the deaths continue at an alarming rate. Author Frances White has ensured that this locked room mystery buzzes with dramatic energy. The sense of place is just wonderful, as the boat opened up room by room I felt as though I was on board. Concordia burned its way into my heart and mind, and although the majority of the novel takes place on the ship, the descriptions of the different provinces created a vibrantly colourful world within my thoughts. As the special abilities of the heirs were gradually revealed, so the intrigue and suspense increased. The characters are fabulously and vividly memorable, and I have completely fallen in love with Ganymedes and Grasshopper. The plot twists and corkscrews its way through the novel, thoroughly enjoying itself as it taunts and swipes at any detective work you may be attempting. Various narrative themes, including identity and belonging, social issues, and prejudice also join to make this a throughly interesting and compelling novel. Chosen as one of my Liz Picks of the Month, Voyage of the Damned is beautifully dramatic and entertaining as well being fiercely provocative, I loved it!
| Primary Genre | Fantasy |
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The mind-blowing murder mystery debut with magical passengers, epic adventure, and a twist you can’t guess.
If Agatha Christie wrote fantasy, this would be it!
For a thousand years, Concordia has maintained peace between its provinces. To mark this honorary feat, the emperor's ship embarks upon a twelve-day voyage to the sacred Goddess's Mountain.
Aboard are the twelve heirs to the provinces of Concordia, each graced with a unique and secret magical ability known as a blessing.
All except one: Ganymedes Piscero – class clown, slacker, and all-round disappointment.
When a beloved heir is murdered, everyone is a suspect. Stuck at sea and surrounded by powerful people, odds of survival are slim.
But as the bodies pile higher, Ganymedes must become the hero he was not born to be. Can he unmask the killer and their secret blessing before this bloody crusade reaches the shores of Concordia?
Or will the empire as he knows it fall forever?
Voyage of the Damned features in the following genres: Crime and Mystery, Narrative theme: Sense of place, Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction: narrative themes, Liz Robinson's Picks of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Sharing Diverse Voices, Narrative theme: Identity / belonging, Narrative theme: Social issues, LGBTQ+ Fiction, Audiobooks of the Month
Voyage of the Damned is available in Paperback, Hardback, Audiobook
Voyage of the Damned was written by Frances White and published by Penguin Books an imprint of Penguin Books Ltd
Voyage of the Damned has 496 pages
£8.99