The Trip

By: Audrey J. Cole

Narrated by: Vanessa Johansson

From USA Today bestselling author Audrey J. Cole comes a locked-room thriller at sea about image and influence, guilty secrets that won’t sink, and the lies we cling to in the storm.

A luxury sailing trip is the perfect escape from Palmer’s shattered marriage. Until the Pacific Coast cruise—a chance for old friends to mend old wounds—descends into a harrowing fight for their lives.

Twenty years ago, the five of them were inseparable. But after a rafting accident their senior year, only four of them returned. Volleyball captain Courtney’s body was never found. And their lives were never the same.

Now Palmer, her ride-or-die Beth, and home renovator Emma are on an all-expenses-paid trip with mega-influencer Gigi. But a mysterious note and a violent storm soon push them dangerously off course. The radio’s down, the captain’s missing, and the first officer’s woefully inexperienced. And in a chilling echo of the past, Gigi gets swept away. Perhaps on purpose.

Someone doesn’t want them to make it back. Palmer’s not sure who to trust, but she knows the truth lies in the murky depths of what really happened that day on the river.

©2026 by Audrey J. Cole. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Dark secrets follow four old friends out to sea in Audrey J. Cole’s latest claustrophobic terror cruise, The Trip. When the waters get rough, you won’t know who to trust or who to believe, as Cole once again proves that she has the locked-door thriller on lockdown.”—Tony Wirt, author of Pike Island

Just okay

Not much character progression even though each girl was different. I just feel like it fell flat. The twists weren’t shocking and the ending was just okay.I felt like I wanted it to just be over

Not my favorite Audrey Cole book- girls trip!

I am a fan of Audrey Cole's work, esp the serial killer stuff!

But this was a departure.

It followed girls on a reunion cruise about 20 years after they graduated from high school. They share some secrets about a mean girl who died on a camping trip lo those many years ago, and one by one the girls find that they are not safe and perhaps keeping these secrets all these years wasn't a great idea.

I didn't care for any of the characters. They seemed to lack depth and character.

This book is very similar in character depth, tone and plot to The Yacht by Sarah Goodwin.

Would recommend to thriller lovers!

Very good book, easy to follow storyline but not too predictable, I was actually surprised by the ending.

Great

Really really enjoyed this story. Great writing, great reading! Going to have to look for more books by this author

My local area

I loved this book! I am an outdoors lover and have been in the areas the book takes place and loved that aspect! The story was great!