This novel is about the convergence in the Mediterranean of a massive luxury cruise liner, a small decrepit tramp cargo ship, and a rubber zodiac overloaded with refugees from North Africa. Right away I felt that the writing was cinematic. It turns out that the author is a film maker, and the novel is based on true events she had made a documentary about. It's not always the best writing, and it sometimes feels like too much is being attempted as we are presented with a mélange of characters and their backstories on all three vessels. But the stories relating to the crew and staff of the cruise ship and what goes on in the underbelly of such vessels were eye-opening and fascinating, and the interesting subject overcomes the lackluster writing. ( )