Who is the murderer? Is it one of the passengers at Table 29? Perhaps it’s one of the other passengers seated in the exclusive first class dining room or maybe one of the crew on board the ship? It might even be one of the passengers in the discounted cabins in tourist class.

Listen to the voice inside the mind of the killer as the victims are identified and the murders are planned. All of the eight people seated at Table 29 are potential targets. Meet them, as well as some of the other passengers on the luxury ocean liner. Watch how they come together to support each other after the first murder and continue to do so, throughout the difficult voyage.

Unlike popular cruise ships that serve a mass market and compete on size and amusement park like attractions, the “United States 21” delivers the best food, service, and elegant surroundings, as did its namesake in the 1950’s and 60’s.

The "21" as she is known, does not shy away from declaring that it offers three classes of service – first class, cabin class, and tourist. Like any cruise ship or ocean liner, the “21” has a cross section of society on board, where wealth, status, culture, and class differences are found.

The “21” takes advantage of technology. All of the capabilities of the Internet and telecommunications are fully implemented and integrated on board.  Will the advanced communications technology enable the police on shore to determine who the murderer is before everyone at Table 29 is dead?

If you read this book while on a cruise, be warned. You may find yourself watching the other passengers and the crew, wondering if one of them is planning the next murder at sea.

Russ is a native of Michigan. He grew up near Detroit, in Grosse Pointe, and lives part of the year in beautiful Benzie County, near the Village of Beulah. He spends the rest of the year either in Arizona or traveling the world looking for the next story. Russ has always been interested in travel and has lived and worked in many different countries in Europe and Asia.

Russ has always been intrigued by ocean liners and cruise ships, their history, and in the people that work and travel on them. Many of the characters in his book are based on people that he has met on a ship, or while traveling or working in around the world.

Russ studied at Michigan State University, where he received a B.A in Hotel & Restaurant Management. He also attended Arizona State University, where he earned his MBA in Finance and Labor Relations and later his Master of Education degree, focusing on Educational Media and Psychology.

Prior to becoming an author, Russ worked for 30 years in the semiconductor industry, holding various positions in training, finance, and supply chain management.