Author(s): Ian Clarke

April Highlights 2011

After beginning a new job as a ship surveyor,Ralph travels to the Coromandel peninsula to assist Captain Rothfall, a marine inspector,with an investigation into a local fishing vessel that has not returned from sea, and is feared lost. The inspector’s abrasive manner makes him unpopular with the people of the town, most of whom seem to be connected in some way to the fishing company whose boat has gone missing. When Captain Rothfall’s frozen body is found in the fishing company’s refrigerated chamber, suspicion falls on Ralph. With the help of a young woman, Ralph continues the investigation, and begins to unravel the secrets of the small town. Finally, he believes he can identify the inspector’s killer, but he hesitates to name his suspect, a person of high standing in the community. Ralph is arrested, and with nearly everyone turning against him, his future looks bleak. Only one person can save him from his predicament – someone who has known Ralph’s suspect all their life.