Beneath the Wake

This tense thriller is the fourth book in Pennie’s medical mystery series (following Up in Smoke), which features Dr. Zol Szabo, a Hamilton, Ont., specialist in public health. After the harrowing experiences recounted in previous novels, Szabo, who is in serious need of some rest and relaxation, books a long holiday for himself; his colleague Natasha Sharma; his son, Max,; and Max’s friend Travis. They board the Coral Dynasty, a luxury liner cruising the Indian Ocean. But there will be no smooth sailing for Szabo. Three crew members have died from a mysterious disease, and Szabo feels obligated to help the ship’s doctor, Noah Ferguson, discover the cause of the infection and trace it back to its source. If this is not accomplished by the time the ship reaches Singapore—in just 13 days—the ship’s crew and passengers will be put in quarantine indefinitely. Szabo discovers a veil of lies that hides unsavory crimes aboard the ship, which propels the novel to its shocking conclusion. Pennie is a doctor specializing in infectious disease, and his expertise clearly informs and adds a complex realism to this excellent page-turner. (May)