Review: Anthem of the Sea by Thom Collins

Title: Anthem of the Sea

Series: Anthem: Book One

Author: Thom Collins

Length: 165 Pages

Category: Contemporary, Murder Mystery

At a Glance: In creating these characters, Thom Collins takes us along on a high seas mystery with more than just a storm brewing. He is a master at creating a great murder mystery.

Reviewed By: Maryann

Blurb: An ocean of possibility. For love, revenge and murder.

Daniel Blake, a handsome young singer, boards the Atlantic Anthem in Portugal for the final voyage of her maiden season. The state-of-the-art ship is the jewel in the Royal Atlantic cruise fleet. For Daniel, a one-time boy band member and TV talent show winner, it’s an honor to perform on board such a vessel. Daniel loves the freedom and adventure of the sea. He began his solo career as a cruise ship entertainer and returning to the ocean as a headline act brings him full circle. He isn’t looking for love.

Neither is comedian Elijah Mann. Working at sea has given Elijah’s career the boost it desperately needed. Often considered too good-looking and sexy to be funny, he’s found work hard to come by since his TV show was canceled. With a potential new career opening up, he must remain focused. But when Elijah meets Daniel the attraction is mutual and instant. As the ship sets sail for England they have three days to get to know each other. Elijah can’t let that opportunity pass.

The voyage home is far from smooth. Also on board is a figure from Daniel’s past. A man who’s been holding a grudge for years, waiting for his moment. As a storm builds in the North Atlantic, Daniel and Elijah discover that the trip of a lifetime could be their last.

Reader Advisory: This book contains mentions of chemsex and a scene of dubious consent.

Review: Atlantic Anthem is the most extravagant cruise ship to sail the high seas—this ship has everything you could ever imagine. Daniel Blake has been given the greatest opportunity in his budding singing career. To perform on the Atlantic Anthem tops everything—he’s got his own stateroom, gets invited to the captain’s table for dinner—and he wants to make this the most successful moment of his life.

Elijah Mann is a comedian who is also performing on the Anthem, on the last leg of his current tour. His only downfall has been his carelessness with hookups and after this last disaster with Vladislav Kolodin, Elijah has made the decision to grow up and look for something more serious.

When Elijah and Daniel meet, Elijah feels a spark he’s never felt before. They hit it off pretty well and start spending a lot of time getting to know each other. But, a good time turns to tragedy and Daniel and Elijah find themselves in danger—not only from a storm but from a deranged killer too.

Daniel mingles with numerous characters on board ship, including Captain Roman Rassimov, the handsome Italian and masterful man who controls the Atlantic Anthem. Anouska Frost, a member of the dance troop, has been friends with Elijah for five years and has a great sense of humor, and she’s always encouraging others. In fact, she helped Elijah get this job. Oliver Gill is another prominent character. Oliver hates Daniel and is sure Daniel is doing nothing but taking every opportunity away from him. Sex and drugs are Oliver’s crutch, and his hate is beyond reasonable. Terry St. King, a much older performer, feels like he’s been pushed out of headliner status. He’s the resident piano man with a diva’s reputation. He’s also a little jealous of the younger performers.

In creating these characters, Thom Collins takes us along on a high seas mystery with more than just a storm brewing. He is a master at creating a great murder mystery. There was a mishmash of some odd characters in this novel, who delve into the competition and jealousies of the entertainment world. The storyline itself is dark and suspenseful, as one would expect from sex and drugs leading to a horrendous crime, and the twist here is that the murderer is revealed and then we get to witness just how sick and devious this person is. With the ending of this story, I understand why it’s one of a trilogy, and I’m hooked. Bring on book two.

You can buy Anthem of the Sea here:
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