The Ex-Husband

Two stories of revenge drive this uneven thriller from Hamilton (The Last Wife), both told by Charlotte Wilson, a scam artist who’s trying to go straight. The first tells how Charlotte was willingly seduced by her soon to be husband, Sam, into a life of preying on gullible cruise ship passengers. The second finds Charlotte estranged from Sam and attempting to build an event- and travel-planning business tailored to the needs of wealthy clients. When she begins receiving text messages from Sam stating that he has been threatened, she ignores them, until the anonymous blackmailer sends her a message, “I know what you both did,” followed by a demand for money. Before she can message Sam, he disappears. Meanwhile, Charlotte accepts an offer to work as a personal assistant aboard a private yacht sailing from the Bahamas to Barbados. During the voyage, Charlotte realizes that her stalker must be on the boat, and the threats escalate. The Caribbean backdrop and exciting finale make up only in part for a lead lacking self-awareness, insight, and wit. Hamilton has done better. Agent: Hillary Jacobson, ICM Partners. (Jan.)