En route Helen meets her cousin, Claire, daughter of Paddy, whose latest husband, Fabian has gone missing after having visited Paddy on the island. Together they travel to Anacordes, where Paddy and Claire's brother, Richard, meet them and take them by boat to the island. On the boat Paddy tells Helen two things: She has been made executor of his will and that he is sure someone is trying to kill him. By the next morning, Paddy is dead and Helen is on the trail of his killer.

There are no shortage of suspects – daughter Claire's missing husband, son Richard, who has numerous gambling debts, Richard's estranged wife, Sandra, Richard's son Patrick, Patrick's friend, Ted, the housekeeper, the lawyer, or the ghost, Mary, who supposedly haunts the castle. Helen's efforts on the case are both appreciated and disdained by the two law enforcement officers assigned to the case since the island is located half in Canada and half in the U.S.

Helen Bradley is a believable heroine. Her background in police work makes her a likely person for her uncle to consult. Most of the suspects are either relatives or good friends. and would likely confide in her and she would be able to ascertain whether or not they are being truthful. When things are not what they seem, Helen is able to discover what really happened. The supporting characters, while not as well developed as Helen, are believable.

While not particularly unique, the plot is interesting and the action moves at a fair pace. Several side plots furnish additional interest and excitement as the minor characters have their moment of glory.

The San Juan Islands make an intriguing setting, but as far as the plot is concerned any remote island with a unique building on it would have met the needs. I would have enjoyed learning more about the history of the islands.

The only real failing in the book was the climax. Readers may find it rather contrived, but I have to admit that while I found it hard to believe, it was pretty exciting.

--Andy Plonka