by Stuart Gibbs
Part of Spy School, book 9
Ben Ripley thought spy school on land was challenging enough. Now he finds himself aboard a luxury cruise ship, where his mission parameters have completely changed. The confined space of the vessel creates new tactical problems he never faced at the Academy. Every passenger could be a potential threat or ally, but distinguishing between them proves nearly impossible when everyone is pretending to be on vacation. Ben must navigate both the ship's corridors and a web of deception while maintaining his cover as an ordinary teenager. His fellow student spies face the same constraints, but their usual protocols don't account for being trapped at sea with their targets. The mission's success depends on Ben's ability to adapt his training to this floating environment, where escape routes are limited and backup is days away. As the cruise continues, Ben discovers that some threats are more dangerous in close quarters than they ever were on dry land.
Genres: adventure, mystery, thriller, action, espionage
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Academy