When Darina Lisle is offered a free cruise on the Empress of India it is hard to decide which prospect is most exciting. Two weeks exploring the Norwegian fjords on a luxury liner? The opportunity to advise the prestigious cruise company on Scandinavian food? Or the promise of the uninterrupted company of her husband, Detective Chief Inspector William Pigram?On board Darina and William meet a variety of passengers, including cruise veteran Enid Carter, down-on-their-luck farmers Joyce and Michael Harwood, opera star Mervyn Pryde, and millionaire lottery winner Shona Mallory. All are on board for different reasons, all have varying expectations of the cruise.But the cruise staff have their own problems. Particularly Assistant Purser Phil Burrell, the Stores Manager. And when he disappears, Darina's dream of a relaxing break with her husband vanishes too. For William is called in to help solve the questiondid Phil choose a watery end or did someone give him a helping hand? Read Less