A shipboard holiday takes a disastrous turn when a body is found swinging from the yardarm.

Sheriff Zachariah Fitch doesn't believe in pirate stories like the ones his daughter's nursemaid, Nairnie spins so well. But his beliefs change quickly when Nairnie's ex-pirate husband, Bear, and his crew arrive at his door one night.

After solving several murders with the help of his good friend (and love interest), Lady Vivienne Harlowe, Zachariah wants nothing more than time to unwind. However, when Bear suggests a day of high seas adventure aboard his ship, Vivienne accepts the invitation for all of them. Against the sheriff's will, of course.

What is supposed to be a fun time on the waves with friends and family ends up being a horrible nightmare. Another murder investigation is underway as the body of a young thief is found dangling lifelessly from the yardarm of the Falcon, and no one saw it happen. Calm waters soon turn stormy as Zachariah and Vivienne, along with her bloodhound, Grunt, embark upon another murder investigation, this time with their children along. The hunt is on for a murderer whose trail leads them to a thieving ring in Whitstable that includes young orphaned boys . . . one of them possibly a tie to Vivienne's past.

With a medieval hint of Oliver Twist, the streets of Whitstable brim with young pickpockets, ex-pirates, and lots of hope, as a sheriff, a lady, and her hound embark upon another exciting adventure to catch a killer and bring about justice, in this next installment of the Harlowe & Fitch Historical Mysteries.