Buoyant

The maiden voyage of Titanic II promises luxury, fame, and spectacle—an irresistible gathering of billionaires, celebrities, and priceless treasures. But beneath the glittering surface, a daring heist is about to unfold.

Mastermind Scott Rainey, his brother Jay, and their elite crew have one audacious goal: steal every gem, watch, and artifact on board and vanish without a trace into the vast Atlantic. But as the plan edges closer to execution, the stakes soar higher than the ship’s grand decks.

Enter Candy—the newest member of the crew—whose dangerous charm ignites a volatile love triangle between the brothers, threatening to unravel their entire scheme. As tensions flare, an old nemesis lurks in the shadows: the relentless detective from their last job, piecing together clues that could sink their operation before it even begins.

With time slipping away, secrets surfacing, and trust eroding, Scott must navigate betrayal, desire, and mounting obstacles. Can he orchestrate the heist of the century and secure the love he craves—or will everything come crashing down like the ship’s ill-fated predecessor?

This stunning debut novel by Alan Hartwell will have you blasting through the story late into the night. Written in a style reminiscent of Tarantino’s movies the characters are colourful, memorable and occasionally just the right side of cheeky villain. Although some, you might not want to meet alone down a dark alley.

This would appeal to readers who enjoy fresh, twisty, high-concept crime thrillers such as ‘The woman in cabin 10’ by Ruth Ware, ‘A fatal crossing’ by Tom Hindle or ‘The last passenger’ by Will Dean. It also has the audacious caper style of George Clayton Johnson’s ‘Ocean’s Eleven,’ 'The Thomas Crown Affair,' and many of the Elmore Leonard novels and maritime adventures with a modern twist.