George Dillman and Genevieve Masefield used to the grand opulence of the Cunard cruise line
are at first disappointed with the Marmora a small unimpressive ship owned by the P&O
shipping line. Employed by P&O to be the ships detectives George and Genevieve are certain
they will encounter the same petty thefts and confidence tricksters they're used to dealing
with though they hope identifying the culprits among the 500 or so passengers will prove a
little easier than it did aboard the great Cunard cruise ships. They soon settle in to the
routine of taking reports and doing their best to recover whatever stolen jewellery or
purloined cash the unfortunate travellers are missing. The cruise is certain to be unique in at
least one respect: the Duke and Duchess of Fife along with their two small children are
aboard and the detectives' secondary task is to provide security on the royals. However when a
dead body turns up George and Genevieve know they've got their work cut out for them. Suspects
abound and on such a small ship keeping the demise of the poor victim a secret proves tougher
than they'd like. Through the eyes of Edward Marston a luxury cruise to Egypt in 1908 becomes
a majestic voyage albeit with murder in the mix upon which readers will be eager to
embark.Previously published under pseudonym Conrad Allen.
