The Girl Who Had to Die is a most unusual crime novel. It takes place on a cruise ship and later at a wealthy family's estate. It is at once a tale about a femme fatale who enchants men and drives them to ruin. It is also a tale of madness, despair, suicide, love, murder, and, although you think you know who has lost their mind, there are points where you wonder if they've all lost their minds.

Most of the story is in dialogue or streams of thought, meaning there is limited action. And it all takes place in narrow settings, but somehow it's so fascinating that it's hard to put down. Perhaps it's the interplay of romance, madness, blackmail, and murder, but then again it's pure madness and that perhaps gets the reader's attention. ( )