While Masefield and Dillman normally work for Cunard on its luxury liners traveling to and from Liverpool and New York, this time they've signed on board a combination freighter and passenger liner traveling from Seattle to the Orient across the Pacific in 1908. The owners are sure that the Minnesota is being used by the unpleasant Rance Gilpatrick for smuggling. But they don't know what he is smuggling, or how. Drugs and silk are the likely commodities.

As they do for Cunard, Masefield and Dillman pose as passengers and pretend not to know one another. They become acquainted with different members of the first-class passenger list, and compare notes.

The other passengers present many vivid and diverse characters, racists concerned about the "Yellow Peril," crooks, a prize fighter, an evangelizing Catholic missionary, two stowaways, a newly-wed bar singer who always wanted to perform opera, male chauvinist husbands, docile wives, an independent divorced woman, a roue and a talented artist. The interactions over meals provide lots of clues about the potential smuggling.

During the trip, many unexpected events take place and the two detectives find themselves kept very busy trying to find out what's really going on.

In typical Conrad Allen fashion, the mystery isn't too mysterious, and the clues all fall into place just a little too conveniently to let the story move forward. The prose is a little awkward and stiff, but the human interactions often ring true. In particular, the developing relationship between the two detectives is appealing and realistic.

If you decide to read one book in this series, I suggest that you try this one. If you like it, consider reading Murder on the Mauretania.

After you finish the story, think about how far you can go to help those in trouble. Then, take action to assist someone today!

While Masefield and Dillman normally work for Cunard on its luxury liners traveling to and from Liverpool and New York, this time they've signed on board a combination freighter and passenger liner traveling from Seattle to the Orient across the Pacific in 1908. The owners are sure that the Minnesota is being used by the unpleasant Rance Gilpatrick for smuggling. But they don't know what he is smuggling, or how. Drugs and silk are the likely commodities.

As they do for Cunard, Masefield and Dillman pose as passengers and pretend not to know one another. They become acquainted with different members of the first-class passenger list, and compare notes.

The other passengers present many vivid and diverse characters, racists concerned about the "Yellow Peril," crooks, a prize fighter, an evangelizing Catholic missionary, two stowaways, a newly-wed bar singer who always wanted to perform opera, male chauvinist husbands, docile wives, an independent divorced woman, a roue and a talented artist. The interactions over meals provide lots of clues about the potential smuggling.

During the trip, many unexpected events take place and the two detectives find themselves kept very busy trying to find out what's really going on.

In typical Conrad Allen fashion, the mystery isn't too mysterious, and the clues all fall into place just a little too conveniently to let the story move forward. The prose is a little awkward and stiff, but the human interactions often ring true. In particular, the developing relationship between the two detectives is appealing and realistic.

If you decide to read one book in this series, I suggest that you try this one. If you like it, consider reading Murder on the Mauretania.

After you finish the story, think about how far you can go to help those in trouble. Then, take action to assist someone today!