Majestic Descending Mitchell Graham Forge $24.95 HC

Mitchell Graham writes a workmanlike novel of a divorced, middle aged, though still highly attractive, lawyer, Katherine Adams as she takes a well deserved cruise to Europe aboard the Ocean Majestic. K.J, (Adam's nickname) survived a kidnapping and still suffers flashbacks from that long ago escape. The story opens with this as the prologue. It moves to cover her life since then, establishing her character. Once aboard ship things begin to move a bit faster. K.J. meets a law professor/ex police detective. She's smitten and leery at the same time. Three suspicious characters lurk on board. Katherine witnesses an argument and one of the men ends up dead. Katherine is chased throughout the rest of the novel as she tries to uncover why the death had to occur. There's quite a bit of action over and above the first killing. Graham handles writing from a woman's perspective as well as any man can. Majestic Descending is a worthy first effort. Given what happens on board the Ocean Majestic, I wouldn't read it on a sea cruise but on a long flight it'll beat the movie.

Dave Biemann