Death on the Danube: A fast-paced psychological thriller

by D.J. Maughan

A dream vacation. A perfect anniversary. A killer hiding in plain sight.

When Derek and Brianna Murphy set off on a romantic river cruise from Passau to Budapest to celebrate twenty-five years of marriage, they expect historic cities, candlelit dinners, and a much-needed reconnection. What they don’t expect is the instant bond they form with two other couples—strangers who, over shared excursions and late-night conversations, begin to feel like lifelong friends.

But friendships forged on calm waters can shatter in dark depths.

On the final morning in Budapest, the body of a passenger is discovered drifting in the Danube—an apparent accident that quickly proves anything but. When Peter Andrassy, former NYPD detective turned investigator for the Hungarian National Police arrives, he is tasked to untangle a web of secrets that followed the tourists ashore.

Can Peter find the killer and bring them to justice? Or will he become a victim himself?

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 19, 2026

Reviews

[Jennifer Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by author DJ Maughan!! There was so many twists and turns that no one could see coming!! Loved seeing Peter do his thing!

[Lady Georgette (ieatpagesforbreakfast) · Rating 5 out of 5]

NEW ARC READ!!!
PUBLISHING DATE : 19TH MARCH 2026

Date : 21st February 2026
Book : Death On The Danube
Author : D.J Maughan
Genre : Psychological Thriller / Mystery

Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’m so glad the author reached out to me and gave me the chance to read this ARC and to give my honest review on it! It’s one of those books you read like a movie because it actually just flowed.

So..this is the story of a group of friends that planned a cruise trip to Europe and become good buddies in a short span of time. Now when I say cruise, I’m talking luxury cruise, meaning 5⭐️ service with gorgeous views of Budapest and non-stop drinks. It’s supposed to be this big, happy get-together but the happy vibes are short lived.

And you know what? I thought this book definitely gave me White Lotus vibes and I’m here for it!!! I think you’ll enjoy this book as much as I did if you love a fast paced “vacation gone wrong” trope along with a bunch of whodunnits! Great ARC✨

#deathonthedanube #djmaughan #thriller #mystery #psychologicalthriller •vacation gone wrong•friends•whodunnit•

[Wendie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author, DJ Maughan, chose me to read an ARC of Death on the Danube.

The novel starts with a body falling into the Danube on a river cruise then goes back to the start of the cruise, where 3 couples meet and become fast friends. The premise is intriguing because the reader doesn't know who died or why, so clues build throughout the novel.

Then former NYC detective and current Hungarian National Police consultant, Peter Andrassy, is brought onto the case as the novel catches up to the victim's death. Peter is a crack sleuth and is able to gather clues and determine part of the story.

This is the tightest of DJ Maughan's Peter Andrassy novels, and is able to stand on its own if you haven't read others. Intruguing, well written and moves quickly. I did have trouble keeping some of the characters straight, especially who was married to whom, but the list at the start of the book helped a bit.

I recommend this book, even if you haven't read other Peter Andrassy novels.

[Pheadra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read this author before. As I received an advance copy of this book, I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Budapest is the setting for a cruise taken by Brianna and Derek celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. As is prone in such settings, they make friends with two other couples. Unfortunately, a body is discovered that necessitates calling Peter Andrassy, a former NYPD detective now turned investigator for the Hungarian National Police to investigate.

The information and descriptions made it very obvious that the author had been in the location and was speaking from experience

Good twists and fast-paced. 4 stars

[Natasha Stills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done! 🤌👏⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I can't wait for more Peter and Zsuzsa. I do love how the book was inspired by the author's personal trip! I will absolutely read every single book D.J publishes, all his work is so good. D.J.'s writing style is superb, and his ability to tell a story is phenomenal! The twists and turns will have you like 😲🤯🫢! That being said, I highly recommend you read this book and all his other books.

[Martin Isherwood-Smith]

wow! how on earth does d.j. keep doing this?

ARC reader again and very lucky to keep being part of the team.

A whodunnit that will truly keep you guessing till the end. instant character development, really fell like you know who is the main characters and that you're part of their crew.

I highly recommend you read this and every other book written by this amazing author.

5/5 no notes, possibly my fave so far....

[Jennifer Jeffries · Rating 5 out of 5]

i received this book as an ARC for my review. But I must say I have thoroughly enjoyed this book, I felt like I was right along with them on vacation. I could see everything in my mind while reading! It was woven together beautifully and didn't see the twist coming. Thank you for another fantastic read!

[Alyssa Fujimoto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as an ARC reader & OMG! It had me hooked from page one definitely a page turner! Keeps you interested from start to finish! The twists were BEYOND what I expected! Always love me some Peter too, so was super excited to have him in this book 🤭 I would definitely recommend this book once it’s released! Another amazing book from this author, he never disappoints!

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another well written must read story by D.J. Maughan!

Normally I stay away from books with lots of characters, but I had these couples straight in my head before I was even 25% through this book. I was so involved in these characters that I had forgotten it was part of the "Peter Andrassy Series" till he entered.

[Frannie Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

A huge thank you to Booksirens for an ARC of D.J. Maughan's latest book.

Just like ALL his other books, I loved it! I feel like I just got off a European river cruise...the descriptions of the trip were so real! But I would want to avoid the dramas of this group. And it was so good to see Peter in action again. I need more of Peter and what happens next for him personally!

[Naomi Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trigger warnings, suicide, child death, and rape are lightly mentioned. The first chapter pulled me in, and then I just had to know. I thought I had it figured out, and maybe I did a little (and I do mean, a little), but there was more to the story than I knew. I always love a good twist!

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this advanced copy directly from the author...

This is my 4th book by D.J. Maughan. Another great read!!!! There were plenty of plot twists and elements that make this a good fast paced psychological thriller.

I definitely recommend checking this book out as well as his other books!

[Amanda Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come.

[Lyndsay Fiorentino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the twists and turns and the quick story development.. I've been enjoying the books by D.J. Maughan! Can't wait to read more books by this author.

[Cassandra Joy Hoover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another five star Peter and Zsuzua thriller !
Hooked from the first page . one day read . Highly recommend reading this one too !

[Dawn Resue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as a beta read and was not disappointed at all! This was a fast read and threw in a few twists along the way. I already enjoy the Peter Andrassy series and really enjoyed the next installment! Definitely recommend for a quick enjoyable read with some twists!

[Jan Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic read ! The suspense built from page one and never let up...i loved the characters and the storyline both. stayed up way too late as i couldn't put it down. DJ's best book yet...

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Death on the Danube” by D. J. Maughan is a fast-paced psychological thriller that had me completely hooked. Now an investigator for the Hungarian Police, Peter Andrassy is called in when a body is discovered after going overboard on a river cruise—and what follows is a dangerous unraveling of secrets that kept the tension high from start to finish. I couldn’t put this one down. Hands down, this is my favorite Peter Andrassy story so far.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this book. This book drew me in from the very first chapter and I am not just saying that to be nice! One of the very first things that I loved about this book is that it takes place on a cruise ship. I felt like I was on the cruise with them. The attention to detail was great. The author included at the beginning of the book a page explaining who was who on the cruise which helped to follow the story. The events of the book were authentic cruise style mixed with twisty #whodunits. I loved learning more about the history of Hungary in this book. The book taught you about their culture and history but not in a boring way at all! It flowed so flawlessly that you got an amazing mystery thriller story with authentic history snuck in perfectly.

I have read all of DJ's books. I absolutely adore the storyline of Peter Andrassy and getting to deep dive into cases with Peter. What is so nice about this book though, is even if you haven't read the other ones you can still follow this book. You do not need to have read the other books to read this one. However I really hope you do because those are also phenomenal. These books tell their own twisty #whodunit stories but also give you a glimpse into the beautiful and real life of detective Peter Andrassy.

This book gives you a glimpse into cruise vacations, love, betrayal, heartbreak, wholesome family support, friendship, death, law enforcement, and more! You will not regret reading this book. The author also has a facebook page that he regularly posts on and has signed copies you can buy.

This book is truly a 10/10 and one of my favorites not only in this series but that I have read this year

[Crystal Skropits · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to DJ for reaching out and choosing me as an ARC reader for Death on the Danube.

This book reads like a movie. From the very beginning, we’re introduced to the cruise passengers with a helpful character summary, which I genuinely appreciated. With all the twists getting twistier by the chapter, it can take a second to keep everyone straight.

You can absolutely tell the author pulls from personal experience. The subtle, specific touches throughout the story made everything feel authentic and layered (and the Diet Coke references? I see you 🤭). Those small details added personality and made the twists even more fun.

What starts as a dream anniversary trip quickly turns dark when a body is discovered floating in the Danube. The friendships formed onboard? Not as simple as they seemed. Secrets unravel, loyalties shift, and no one feels completely innocent.

With a former NYPD detective now working with Hungarian National Police leading the investigation, the tension builds quickly and never really lets up.

If you love locked-room style mysteries, exotic settings, and psychological thrillers that keep you flipping pages “just one more chapter” at a time , this one is it!
Fast. Twisty. Cinematic. 🚢🔪

[Donna McMullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

DJ Maughan, once again you have written an amazing book with a solid 5 stars! This is a meticulously plotted thriller that flows seamlessly. Three couples onboard a luxury cruise ship to Hungary, find they are all from Arizona and soon become friends. They do pretty much everything together. Soon they realize Derek speaks perfect Hungarian when they hear him conversing with the captain and a server. How does he speak it so well? They begin to think he is hiding something. Then a body turns up in an empty room.
The local authorities call in Hungarian police consultant Peter Andrassy, who you will know if you have read some of his other books. They want him to help solve the murder. What follows is a wild ride that will keep you engaged throughout! His descriptions of Hungary and its cities, were so vivid I slmost felt I was there. Also, read the afterward!!

[Lorraine Friedrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

You'll never guess who did it!! The book opens with a murder, and you don't find out who was killed for a good portion of the book. This means that you're not only trying to find out who the murderer is, you're also trying to find out who the victim is. Double detecting! This is a mystery that has lots of people with possible motives, means, and opportunity. Just as you become convinced you know who the murderer is, you're proven wrong, and have to move on to another suspect. Our returning hero and detective, Peter, does a fantastic job of untangling all the facts and eliminating the false leads. I am a Peter Andrassy fan, having read all his previous adventures, and I look forward to reading about how he solves his next case! (Although this book is part of a series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone novel.)

[Beth Tuley · Rating 4 out of 5]

DJ’s books are always reliably fast-paced and hold my attention from beginning to end. This one was no different. Death on the Danube is a fast-paced murder mystery. 3 couples from Arizona on a Danube River cruise from Germany to Hungary. There is an underlying dynamic that we discover later, and when one of the passengers in the group ends up dead, it’s up to detective Andrassy to figure out who did it. There was a twist I didn’t see coming and I’m dying to know where it leads in DJ’s future books. Overall a very enjoyable, solid mystery. No plot holes or gaps, and best of all, in my opinion, this could really happen. It’s not far fetched at all. Death on the Danube releases 3/19 and I definitely recommend it.

[Taylor Ormonde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immediate attention grabber! Derek and Brianna go on a Danube river cruise for their wedding anniversary. While on their cruise, they meet two other couples who are also from Arizona like Derek and Brianna are. They make fast friends with the other couples, dining together, sightseeing together, etc… but it turns outs, not all the passengers are there for a vacation, but for nefarious reasons. There’s angst, there’s murder, there’s heartbreak. But Peter Andrassy is back and he’s going to find out what happened!

Not only did the main story snag me in and not let go, but I just couldn’t get over my excitement for Peter and Zsuzsa!

Another amazing read from D.J. Maughan!

[Lori Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as a review copy from Booksirens, this is an honest review.

Author D.J. Maughan wrote an intriguing, emotional story with Death on the Danube and the deeper we get to know they three couples on this European river cruise; the story turns harrowing and complex and tragic. The deeply personal pain that shadow the Murphys and Costas couples were not only relatable for intertwines the two families but for the actions both Derek and Jacob take to balance their personal scales to feel a sense of justice has been served. Even it means roping other people and the spiraling consequences that echo out of it and long after.


Highly recommended.

[Breanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast-paced thriller packed with twists and turns...exactly my kind of read. 👏🏻

Set on a Danube river cruise, the story quickly turns into something far more vengeful and deadly than the guests could have expected. The descriptions were so vivid it felt like watching a movie play out, and that twist?! I didn’t see it coming at all. I stayed up way too late because I genuinely couldn’t put it down.

Grateful to the author for sharing this ARC with me, and I’m excited to dive into more of his backlist.

[Kim McFall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have quickly become a fan of DJ Maughan’s books! This is my third and I loved it so much!!

This is a fast-paced crime thriller with a story that unfolds twists, turns, dark secrets, and betrayals.

I love how the characters feel like real-life people that you could actually meet while in a vacation. The conversations and the emotional experiences helped make it feel like I was right there on the cruise with them.

I can’t wait to read more books with Peter Andrassy!!

I am so grateful to have received this arc from the author!

[Autumn Hanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the twists and the short, fast paced chapters!

There were so many characters to keep straight so that was my only issue was trying to keep up. But the storyline was fantastic and the descriptions of locations made it feel like you were there.

I appreciate the author for the advanced copy!

[Ela La1978 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic crime thriller. Reading the story you can see the personal experience the author had with the cruise and the stops made, its authentic. The story is exceptional and the reader has no way of knowing which direction the story goes. It‘s captivating until the very end, and no one would have guessed the outcome.

[Regina Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! I was honored to get this ARC, I loved every book iv read so far from this author. There were amazing details in this story that made me feel like I was there. Fast paced every single chapter ended in a way that made you instantly want to just keep reading very well written. I will absolutely be picking up more books by this author. He is officially one of my new favorites.