With the sound of wedding bells still ringing in their ears, Daisy Dalrymple and her new husband, Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher, take an ocean trip to America. On board they are joined by a coterie of acquaintances, but soon the voyage dissolves into an atmosphere thick with chaos, followed by a sudden death. And with rough seas making the crossing even more perilous, it's up to Daisy and Alec to uncover the hidden agendas of some very dangerous guests...