Crime, mystery, adventure, thrills—all are to be found in this short-story collection commencing with “The Ship That Died of Shame,” in which a former navy gunboat is used for smuggling by ex-servicemen down on their luck in postwar society. In “The Reconciliation,” a husband employs private detectives but then changes his mind about a divorce once their findings are revealed. In “Licensed to Kill,” a honeymoon soon turns into a manhunt when a former Royal Marine commando employs the tricks of his trade. A further seven stories complete a volume full of twists, turns, and hard-hitting drama.
Nicholas Monsarrat (1910–1979) was born in Liverpool and was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. He served in World War II, first as a member of an ambulance brigade and then as a member of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. His lifelong love of sailing made him a capable naval officer, and he served with distinction on a series of small warships. Resigning his wartime commission in 1946, he entered the diplomatic service. He turned to writing full time in 1959, settling on the Mediterranean island of Gozo until his death.
Simon Vance is an award-winning actor and an AudioFile Golden Voice with over fifty Earphones Awards and thirteen prestigious Audie Awards. He was named Booklist’s very first Voice of Choice in 2008 and an AudioFile Best Voice of 2009.