Alec and Daisy are getting to know their new neighbors and are not sure about some of them:  there are bootleggers (the Jessups), busybodies (the Bennetts) and the maid has just found a dead body in the overgrown garden. When the victim is identified as an American citizen, rumors of American gangsters begin circulating. When Daisy learns the Jessups’ son Patrick has been in America and US Treasury Agent Lambert shows up on Daisy’s doorstep (they became acquainted in one of Daisy’s previous adventures), Daisy and Alec’s thoughts turn to an international bootlegging scheme. 

With twins that she actually wants to spend time with (much to her nanny’s dismay), her new house and new neighborhood, Daisy’s hands are full enough without a murder investigation. But Daisy and Alec are a team, and someone in the new neighborhood must know or have seen something and Daisy is the best one to ferret it out. 

 Daisy is a modern day (for 1925) woman who knows how to live her life to the fullest. In the past four years she has been involved in over fifteen murders, won over DCI Alec and his daughter Belinda, married, given birth to twins and is now undertaking the renovations of their new home with the tireless attention she gives everything. 

While the Hempstead neighbors may not make ideal neighbors, they make wonderful characters and suspects. Daisy has an active imagination and often takes things further than what is easily seen, many times to great effect.  Alec, who often seems amused by his wife’s penchant for solving crime, is a good partner for Daisy and helps keep her out of harm’s way.  The reappearance of bumbling Mr. Lampert will please longtime fans of the series. 

Set firmly in the mid-1920s, the historical context is very accurate and brings the era of prohibition in London to life. Black Ship is another welcome addition to the series featuring the intrepid Daisy who readers have enjoyed watching grow from young ingénue to married woman, mother of two, and now a homeowner about to take her place in a new community.                                      

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry