Mysteries At Sea: Peril on the Atlantic - H. M. Howell

Alice is excited to be spending the summer with her father on board the Queen Mary as it sails to New York. Whilst her father is working, desperate to ensure the ship wins the Blue Riband prize for the quickest crossing of the Atlantic, Alice hopes to explore the delights of the ship; however her plans are quickly thwarted when her father gives her strict instructions not to leave the staff quarters.  After overcoming her seasickness, Alice decides to sneak out and explore, but after slipping into the first-class swimming pool before it opens, she witnesses an attack that leaves a member of staff unconscious.  Shocked, she determins to find out who carried out the attack and why.  Along with her new friend, Sonny, she begins to investigate but the more they discover, the more serious and dangerous things get. 

I have enjoyed all of A. M. Howell's books so discovering Peril on the Atlantic filled me with joy, more so when I read that it is the start of a new series.

The setting is perfect for a good mystery and wonderfully incorporates the history of the Queen Mary, describing the splendour of it in such detail that I could imagine myself wandering the decks. The enclosed nature of the ship and the multitude of decks, small staff quarters and hidden areas make for a gripping read, and you are very quickly drawn into the adventure. You know the culprit is on board with no way of escape and this certainly adds to the tension and keeps you guessing.

We meet Alice at the very beginning of the book and quickly find that she isn't one to always follow the rules. There is a feistiness to her and she refuses to be treated the way girls traditionally were at that time.  She has to be careful though, as part of her rule-breaking involves going against her father's instructions, and she is has to make sure she doesn't get caught! Along with the new friends she meets along the way, she is a force to be reconned with and her bravery will leave readers on the edge of their seat.  But, at the end of the day, there is the added question of who can be trusted to add into the mix which only adds to the tension.

Publishing on the 3rd August, Peril on the Atlantic is a gripping adventure with that 'just one more chapter' effect. I gobbled it up in one sitting and I'm so pleased it's the start of a new series as I'm already desperate for The Royal Jewel Pot!