The open seas are a place where anything can happen. It’s also a great place where one could theoretically get rid of a body, at least in the pages of fiction novels. These nautical novels tell us tales of crimes and mysteries at sea, putting their characters in a small space where no one can escape. So, when a crime happens, finding the killer should be easy, right? Well, according to some of these best maritime crime novels, that answer isn’t as simple as you might think.
The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton
Set in 1634, The Devil and the Dark Water follows Samuel Pipps, a renowned detective embarking on a fateful voyage to Amsterdam, where he faces execution for a crime that is shrouded in uncertainty. Accompanying him is his faithful bodyguard, Arent Hayes, who is determined to prove Pipps’ innocence.
However, as they set sail, dark forces haunt the ship. A twice-dead leper lurks on the decks, mysterious symbols appear on the sails, and livestock is brutally slaughtered. To make matters worse, three passengers, including Pipps, are marked for death. With Pipps imprisoned, Arent is left to navigate the treacherous mystery that connects all the passengers, one that stretches into their shared past and threatens to sink the ship, leaving no survivors. The Devil and the Dark Water pays fitting tribute to Sherlock Holmes with a seemingly impossible mystery. The book asks what if Watson tried to solve the case while Holmes was unable to do so himself.
The Boat Trip by Heather J. Fitt
The Boat Trip by Heather J. Fitt follows the ill-fated journey of the yacht Duchess as it crosses the North Atlantic. What was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime quickly turns into a nightmare of suspicion and vengeance. Upon departure from Scotland, a crew member abruptly leaves in anger, setting the stage for a series of unfortunate events.
As tensions rise and accidents occur, including a near-fatal allergic reaction and someone going overboard during a storm, the crew must determine if these events are mere coincidence or if a malevolent force is at play. With the Caribbean as their final destination, they race against time to uncover the culprit before reaching their destination. The Boat Trip is a thrilling fast-paced whodunnit mystery that offers danger on the high seas, with twists a turns that keep you turning to the page until the very end.
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
In this gripping suspense novel, Lo Blacklock, a journalist for a travel magazine, embarks on a luxurious cruise aboard the Aurora. Initially, the voyage seems idyllic, with serene waters and jovial guests. However, Lo’s tranquillity is shattered when she witnesses a woman being thrown overboard.
Disturbed and terrified, Lo tries to alert others, but the ship continues its journey as if nothing happened. As the week progresses, ominous weather and a growing sense of unease plague the ship. Determined to uncover the truth, Lo becomes obsessed with identifying the mysterious woman and unravelling the dark secrets that the ship’s crew and guests are hiding. As tension continues to build among the pages of the book as you watch Lo’s life taken over, this suspenseful sea thriller will have you, along with Lo, wondering what is real and what isn’t.
Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie
This classic Poirot novel might not take place in the ocean, but it still qualifies as a great maritime crime novel. Agatha Christie’s Death of the Nile gave us a daring travel mystery. The serene ambiance of a cruise along the Nile is shattered when Linnet Ridgeway, a young affluent woman, is found shot dead. As Poirot investigates, he discovers that a fellow passenger had previously expressed resentment towards Linnet.
With the exotic backdrop adding to the intrigue, Poirot realises that nothing is as straightforward as it appears. As the pieces of the puzzle come together, Poirot unveils hidden motives and deception, taking readers on a thrilling journey filled with unexpected twists and turns in this Agatha Christie mystery.
Dangerous Cargo by Pauline Rowson
Former Marine turned investigator Art Marvik is assigned to investigate the mysterious case of Bradley Pulford, whose body was discovered on an Isle of Wight beach despite having been declared dead 55 years earlier.
Marvik is tasked with uncovering the identity of the imposter and the reasons behind assuming the name of a deceased man. As the investigation progresses Marvik realizes that the situation is much more dangerous than he initially thought when an innocent woman is murdered.
Into the Drowning Deep (Rolling in the Deep) by Mira Grant
This isn’t so much on the high seas but underneath it. Into the Drowning Deep follows the story of a fated Atargatis, a ship that disappeared with its crew during a mission to film ancient sea creatures in the Mariana Trench. Now a new crew has been assembled with different motives – some driven by a desire to validate their work, others seeking the ultimate hunt, and one determined to uncover to fate of a lost sister.
As they venture below the waves, the truth lurks in the depths, but the secrets of the deep come at a cost. This creepy novel takes you under the waves with an incredible cast of characters, underwater creatures, and a mystery that will you hooked from the beginning.
Leviathan (2000 AD) by Ian Edginton
In 1928, the massive cruise liner Leviathan sets off with nearly 30,000 people on board, heading for New York. However, the ship mysteriously vanishes, never reaching its destination. Twenty years later, the Leviathan emerges, stranded in an otherworldly sea.
Detective Sergeant Lament takes on the task of investigating the enigma at the heart of the liner. As he delves deeper into the mystery, Lament uncovers astonishing revelations that will forever alter his reality. But his discoveries may also hold the key to bringing the Leviathan back to its rightful home. This 2000 AD thriller horror graphic novel tells a tale that intertwines time and mystery, gripping you from start to finish, with art penned by D’Isreali, the mystery of the Leviathan and the horrors found in the bowels of the ship make this graphic novel one worth reading.
From Below by Darcy Coates
In From Below, Cove and her dive team are given permission to explore the wreck of the SS Arcadia, which vanished without a trace sixty years prior. The ship’s wreck has finally been discovered deep beneath the ocean’s surface, far from its intended course. As the dive team prepares to explore the rusted hull, they uncover a sinister presence lurking in the depths.
With limited oxygen and death closing in around them, Cove and her team must fight to survive the horror that seeks to claim them. Trapped beneath the ocean’s waves, their only hope is to escape before it’s too late.
Dangerous Crossing by Rachel Rhys
In this historical fiction mystery novel, Dangerous Crossing, set in 1939 England, Lily Shepherd embarks on a cruise liner bound for Australia, seeking a fresh start. On the ship, she is enveloped in a world of luxury, cocktails, and glamorous companions. However, beneath the sun-soaked surface, secrets start to emerge. Lily finds herself drawn to the charming Edward, but doubts arise about his true affections.
As the cruise liner reaches Australia, the world is engulfed in war. Lily’s desire for Edward intensifies, but she becomes suspicious that something sinister is happening aboard the ship. Determined to uncover the truth, Lily delves deeper into the mysteries that surround her.
Night Train to Memphis (Vicky Bliss) by Elizabeth Peters
Night Train to Memphis is another novel that takes place on the Nile. Vicky Bliss, an assistant curator at Munich’s National Museum, finds herself caught up in a thrilling adventure. Despite lacking expertise in Egyptology, Vicky’s crime-solving abilities land her an opportunity to embark on a luxury Nile cruise. Tasked with solving a murder and preventing the theft of Egyptian antiquities, Vicky suspects that the real motive behind her involvement is to locate her exclusive lover, the art thief known as Sir John Smythe.
As she confronts her lover’s betrayal and deals with an interfering boss, Vicky discovers a dangerous criminal lurks in the shadows, adopting a charming façade but harbouring deadly intentions. This one is a little campier than the other stories on this list, but it still has a fun fast-paced plot with a little trip into ancient Egypt.
There we have it! Some of the best Maritime Crime novels on the high seas. If you like the idea of a nice murder mystery or a crime novel that happens on the open seas, these books will give you what you need. Have you read any of these books? Are there any novels we missed? Comment below and let us know!