The Yacht Girl

Ryan Lock #13

by Sean Black

Young. Gorgeous. Disposable.

Beneath the shimmering turquoise waters and pristine beaches of a billionaire's private island resort, a darker truth lurks. Wealthy elites indulge their every desire, secure in the promise of absolute discretion. But for the young, attractive women known as 'yacht girls,' paradise comes with a price—and a carefully constructed trap.

Ex-military bodyguard Ryan Lock arrives, hired to audit the island's security. What begins as a routine assignment quickly spirals into a nightmare as he uncovers a sinister operation that goes far beyond what he imagined. Driven by a promise to his own daughter, Lock vows to protect the vulnerable women caught in this deadly scheme.

With lives hanging in the balance and the island's ruthless owners willing to stop at nothing to maintain their empire of secrets, Lock finds himself in a desperate race against time. He must expose the truth before more victims disappear—and before he and his team become the next "problem" to be eliminated.

“Ryan Lock is a tough-guy hero for the new age.” — Gregg Hurwitz, New York Times bestselling author of Orphan X

“This is a writer, and a hero, to watch.” — The Daily Mail

“Sean Black writes with the heart of Harlan Coben.” — Joseph Finder, New York Times bestselling author of The Oligarch’s Daughter

“Supremely slick.” — The Daily Telegraph

379 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 31, 2025

About the author

I write the Ryan Lock series of thrillers, which feature ex-military bodyguard Ryan Lock and his partner, former Marine, Ty Johnson. The first two books in the series, Lockdown and Deadlock, hit the Official UK Top 50 Bestseller Chart, and the third, Gridlock, has just been released in hardback. They have have also been translated into Dutch, German, and Russian.

I'm a firm believer in hands-on research, also known as 'any excuse to get out of the house', so before I wrote Lockdown, I trained for a month with former members of the Royal Military Police's specialist close protection unit. That turned out to be great preparation for Deadlock, which I researched by spending time inside Pelican Bay Supermax in California (see the TV interview on my author page). I recently completed a desert survival course in Arizona and ventured into the tunnels under Las Vegas, all as preparation for a new standalone thriller I will begin work on once I have completed the fourth Ryan Lock book.

Before I became a full-time novelist, I taught college and wrote television drama. I'm an Oxbridge and Ivy League graduate – try not to hold that against me.

Reviews

[Mark Toshack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had an ARC version of the book, loved that as I have enjoyed all the Lock and Ty books.

This will resonate with current affairs, still horrific to think it happens though.

One criticism is the involvement of the guy who referred Lock and Ty. He must have known what was going on!

Oh and if it’s a Macallan it’s whisky ;)

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book.

There's a very timely storyline, with a clear reference to Epstein, and a not-so-veiled reference to trump. There's an island, rich and powerful men, "willing" women (no children in this story), a madam and her seemingly vague husband, and Israeli security.

Tasked with testing the island's security, Ryan Lock and Ty Johnson naturally end up learning more than they were supposed to. Harper and Nikki are two very brave young women who set things rolling. Ryan and Ty help them bring the powerful down.

Fast-paced and on-the-nose.

[ROBERT R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sean Black’s "The Yacht Girl" launches readers into a dazzling yet treacherous world where the waters of the Mediterranean shimmer with secrets, ambition, and peril. The novel, which stands as a testament to Black’s gift for taut plotting and immersive atmospherics, expertly weaves suspense, character depth, and the irresistible allure of luxury into an unforgettable ride.
Ryan Lock is a compelling protagonist—tough but not invulnerable, haunted yet hopeful. His past experiences as a soldier and bodyguard inform his decisions, lending credibility and a persuasive sense of world-weariness. Although there are times when it seems like Lock has a bumbling clone. In one scene he’s hyper-aware ready for anything but in the next he blindly blunders into a situation that someone with his experience should have anticipated.
Among the book’s strengths are its characterization, setting, and suspense. Black excels at making the reader care about his protagonists, rooting for them even as the odds stack against them. The Mediterranean setting is lush and immersive, and the thriller elements are executed with precision.
If the novel has weaknesses, they lie in the occasional reliance on genre convention. Some readers may find familiar beats—the lone protector, the mysterious client, the shadowy adversary—but Black’s execution
I recommend "The Yacht Girl" to readers who crave thrillers with heart and brains—to those who appreciate intricate plotting, charismatic leads, and evocative settings. Sean Black has delivered another winner, and this novel will surely entice new fans while satisfying longtime admirers of his work.

[Best Crime Books & More · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to start this review by saying I am a HUGE Sean Black fan and Ryan Lock and Ty Johnson are two of my favourite characters. This series is one I have read since the beginning and rarely have many criticisms. However (can't belive I am saying this), this latest book didn't 'feel' right. Sadly I think I know why and it has nothing to do with the author or series. Recently there seems to have been an influx of this genre being written on islands, I can immediately think of three other books I have read in the last 9-12 months and for some reason I have just had enought of that kind of setting.

This latest book in the series sees Lock and Ty hired to audit the security of a billionaire's private island resort. It gives me creepy Epstein vibes (which may also count towards my dislike) because this island is for wealthy elites clients who have every desire indulged! Don't get me wrong, the writing is great and the characters still amazing but this whole setting just gave me the ick. I cannot wait to see Ty and Lock back doing what they normally do in a setting anywhere other than a bloody island!

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do love a good thriller but this one blew me away. We enter a dangerous and luxurious world as we head to a private island where all is not as it seems. Beneath the beauty lurks secrets, sinister and dark, secrets that people would literally kill for. It’s intriguing, it’s suspenseful and it has you in its hooks from start to finish, gripping the edge of your seat as the author throws many twists and turns in our path. It’s an incredible read with remarkable characters and the author does an amazing job weaving the intricate plot and I just couldn’t put this down. So so good!

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beneath the shimmering turquoise waters and pristine beaches of a billionaire's private island resort, a darker truth lurks. Wealthy elites indulge their every desire, secure in the promise of absolute discretion. But for the young, attractive women - the yacht girls - paradise comes with a price.

Ex-military bodyguard Ryan Lock arrives, hired to audit the island's security. What begins as a routine assignment quickly spirals into a nightmare as he uncovers a sinister operation that goes far beyond what he imagined.

Exciting but disturbing at the same time - it's basically Epstein island.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the ARC.

This was an addicting read with timely references to current news. Once again Ty & Lock managed to discover happenings beyond the scope of the engagement. Their honor and code of ethics "demand" that they address these events. On the one hand, I couldn't wait to reach the end. On the other, I was sorry that I reached the end. I look forward to more Lock & Ty.

[Jeff Benham · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet gig, they thought. Ryan and Ty are paid piles of money to assess the security at a Billionaire's private island. Other assessors have come, filed a report and left. Lock senses something devious is going on, so they are staying. What they discover will turn your stomach. Some very rich and very decrepit men are paying lots of money to do anything they want to young girls. Ryan and Ty do what they do best.

[Beach Bum · Rating 2 out of 5]

Been a while since I've read a Locke & Ty book and this one fails to live up to the memories I have of the previous ones
It's slow, and at best dull. I really struggled to stay with it to the end, and the ending itself seemed far too contrived
There was none of the usual action you get from Ty and Locke and their adversaries were less than capable. Even the real boss of the bad guys was lackluster
Hopefully book 14 comes out soon and reverts to the previous style

[Pamela England · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book before release and was blown away by it. It was fast paced and packed with action from the very first page. Very relevant to today's society and actually quite sad in parts. If you have read other books in the series you will definitely enjoy this but it can also easily be enjoyed as a stand alone book. One of the best books I have read all year, can't wait for the next one!

[CJ Kusk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This follows Lock and Ty on another adventure. Great development of characters. Suspenseful, full of adventure, and surprises and twist and turns. I never expected some of the things to happen. If you've been following this series get it ..if you haven't been following the series start. This is an amazing book.

[Matepsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ho ricevuto un ARC e così ho potuto leggere in anteprima questa nuova affascinante avventura della coppia Lock-Johnson. La storia é coinvolgente e tiene il lettore incollato alla pagina dall’inizio alla fine. Come al solito per l’autore, il libro é molto ben scritto, con uno stile inconfondibile, mai noioso ma sintetico e chiaro. Non vedo l’ora di leggere la prossima puntata!

[Alun Humphreys · Rating 5 out of 5]

The latest in the Ryan Lock series and it is an incredible read.

Fast paced and action packed, I couldn't put it down. Especially enjoyed that it touched on relevant themes around wealth, exploitation and secret lives.

If you haven't read any books by Sean Black yet, I highly recommend that you do as he's a great thriller writer.

[Sammye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book thirteen in the Ryan Lock series. In this story, Ryan and Ty are testing the security of a private island. Things are not as they seem. This is an edge of your seat page turner that kept me flipping pages. There’s danger, secrets, suspense, twists, action, intrigue and a well developed plot. A great mystery.

[Jean Brouder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sean Black is a master at writing great books. I read Yacht Girl and loved the book. It was fast moving and kept your attention to the point of not wanting to put it down. I highly recomment this book to other readers.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again an amazing book that will keep you intrigued from beginning to end Ryan and Ty didn’t expect things to turn out the way they did. Full of suspense and danger that will have you wondering what could possibly happen next. If possible each book seems to get more exciting.

[Janie D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!

One of my TOP 5 favorite authors! I was delightfully surprised to see this new book by Sean Black featuring the great team of Ryan Lock & Ty Johnson. It’s another non-stop read, which is the way every book he’s written is! Can’t wait for # 14! C

[Joan O'grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read , hard to put down wonderful characters and brilliant story

[Michelle Meads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. Good pace and kept up the intrigue with some well timed plot twists.

[Roy Ringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Just as good if not better than the rest of the series. Highly recommend.