Rosco Polycrates is a down to earth, practical ex-cop private investigator who has become involved with the beautiful and talented Annabella Graham, the crossword editor of a local newspaper.

Rosco is called upon to investigate the disappearance of a famous Hollywood actress and her local friend who go sailing off the coast of Nantucket. Their boat is found burning in the bay, but there are no signs of either woman, until their rubber skiff is discovered on a deserted beach. Yet, no bodies are found and the husband of one of the missing boaters becomes abusive and obnoxious to all those trying to find his wife.

Then, Belle starts finding crossword puzzles on her doorstep that contain clues to the mystery and she and Rosco team up to solve the disappearance and the mystery of the crossword puzzles.

This is a highly entertaining piece of writing that is impossible to put down once started.