Tricky Business

In "The Extravaganza of the Seas," a beleaguered cruise ship serves as a floating casino, transporting a diverse group of passengers from the Florida coast. Among them are Fay, a desperate single mom; Johnny and the Contusions, an inept ship's band; Arnold and Phil, seniors seeking escapism; and Lou Tarant, a man with a violent past. As they navigate the tumultuous seas and a brewing storm, their intersecting lives reveal unexpected transformations in this darkly humorous tale by acclaimed author Dave Barry.