Author: Ned Lord

ISBN: 0977476707

The following review was contributed by:  NORM GOLDMAN:  Editor of Bookpleasures. CLICK TO VIEW  Norm Goldman's Reviews       

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Author Ned Lord has done his share as a sailor and scuba diver, as he has served in the Navy and lived aboard a boat for several years. As a result, he has drawn on his vast experience to craft a mystery novel where the outcome will be a surprise to even the most seasoned mystery reader.  

Our story begins when Andy Bowers discovers that his grandmother, Muddy, who brought him up, has committed suicide.

We are informed that Muddy was suffering from cancer and as she indicates in her suicide note, “cancer has cooked my goose and I won’t put up with it.” In the note, Andy is also told that his grandmother has planned an adventure for him and to find out more about it he is to contact his godfather and the family lawyer, Sig Klein. The note ends with a postscript comprising a series of secret numbers.

When Andy meets with Sig he learns that his ancestors were not always honest, however, they were always venturesome. He is also told that his grandfather was killed on a ship in World War II, while he was in the process of stealing diamonds or, as Sig confides, he was not exactly stealing them, but transporting them in a ship called John R. Chaise. Sig wants Andy to go after these diamonds, as the former knows where the ship sank and the latter knows where to locate them. Consequently, Sig puts together a supporting crew that will aid Andy in retrieving the diamonds.

The novel’s depiction of Andy’s perseverance will certainly have readers rooting for him, as we follow how the crew turns out to be a bunch of scoundrels and rogues. In fact, the excitement of the search for the diamonds builds effectively, and we are not quite sure until the very end of the novel which one will try to shaft Andy and steal the diamonds from him.

Moreover, Lord has done a masterful job with his sharp characterization of Andy, who comes across as a trifle naïve, yet every now and then he surprises us with his astute observations, while Zig is realistically drawn as a hard-nose attorney. Their relationship is unique and powerful, and there is a mysterious bonding between them that seems to assure us that we can trust Zig, although at times there lingers some doubt about his honesty and integrity. Soundly plotted with quite a few intriguing turns and tense moments, the story makes for exciting reading and I look forward to reading more of Lord’s future works. He certainly will occupy an important rank within the family of mystery writers.