Description

** AN INSTANT TIMES BESTSELLER **
** A FINANCIAL TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR **
** SHORTLISTED FOR THE CWA HISTORICAL DAGGER AWARD **
** LONGLISTED FOR THE THEAKSTON OLD PECULIAR CRIME NOVEL AWARD **

‘A TRULY GRIPPING READ’ – GUARDIAN
‘FABULOUS, A DELIGHT’ – S.G. MACLEAN
‘A FINE ADVENTURE REMINISCENT OF PATRICK O’BRIAN’ – SUNDAY TIMES

This is the secret report of Laurence Jago. Unwilling spy. Reluctant sailor. Accidental detective.

New Year 1795, and Laurence Jago is aboard the Tankerville mail ship, en route to Philadelphia. Laurence is travelling undercover, supposedly as a journalist’s assistant. But his real mission is to protect a civil servant, en route to Congress with a vital treaty that will stop the Americans from joining the French in their war against Britain.

When the civil servant meets an unfortunate – and apparently accidental – end, the treaty disappears, and Laurence realises that only he can keep the Americans out of the war. Trapped on the ship with a strange assortment of travellers including two penniless French aristocrats, an Irish actress and a dancing bear, Laurence must hunt down both the lost treaty and the murderer, before he has a tragic ‘accident’ himself…

The new page-turning historical mystery from the author of BLACK DROP, a 2021 TIMES Book of the Year. Perfect for readers of Andrew Taylor, Laura Shepherd-Robinson and S.J. Parris.

Publisher Review

A satisfying nautical mystery * The Times * Will have you hooked from start to finish * Metro * Intrigue, tension, memorable characters and shipboard life depicted in all its reeking authenticity add up to a truly gripping read * Guardian * A fine adventure reminiscent of the Patrick O'Brian novels * Sunday Times * Fabulous... A delight. Nattrass again and again had me wondering at her skill and marvellous turn of phrase in filtering complex eighteenth-century history in a way that resonates with our own times -- S. G. MacLean, author of THE SEEKER A perfect storm of historical intrigue, bloody mystery and heart-stopping tension! An eighteenth century whodunnit on a ship, with a bear, a dog and a set of tarot cards. What absolutely top-sail rollicking entertainment -- Janice Hallett, author of THE APPEAL Luscious prose, an immersive setting, and a fine eye for detail. A nautical mystery with serious historical heft -- Vaseem Khan, author of MIDNIGHT AT MALABAR HOUSE I admired Black Drop. I loved Blue Water. Even more welcome than an extra rum ration on Christmas Day, and slips down just as easily -- Robert Lloyd, author of THE BLOODLESS BOY Danger and mystery trapped inside a rocking barrel, far from home. Artful and authentic historical fiction at its best -- A.J. West, author of THE SPIRIT ENGINEER I absolutely loved this book. Full of intrigue and excitement with a brilliantly-realised cast of characters and a totally immersive setting, it's a superb historical thriller -- Philippa East, author of LITTLE WHITE LIES Ingenious and deftly plotted with a pleasing cast of characters. Nattrass's nautical detail is most effective, never overplayed and just as satisfying as any of the C.S. Foresters I adored in my olden days. A hugely enjoyable read -- Alix Nathan, author of THE WARLOW EXPERIMENT A compelling locked room murder-mystery filled with an exquisitely drawn cast of eccentric characters. A wonderful historical naval adventure which keeps the reader guessing right to the final pages -- Louise Fein, author of PEOPLE LIKE US I loved this rip-roaring tale of murder and intrigue on the high seas. A locked-ship mystery, and a cracking sequel to the brilliant Black Drop -- Trevor Wood, author of THE MAN IN THE STREET Beautifully written, immaculately plotted and filled with more red herrings than the Atlantic, it takes readers on a thrilling voyage of murder and mystery. If Patrick O'Brian & Agatha Christie had ever got it together... -- Kate Griffin, author of FYNESHADE Leonora Nattrass has woven an incredible novel against an incredible backdrop. It's a real art to combine history and intrigue and yet she has delivered it - again - with such skill -- Liv Matthews, author of THE PRANK