The Case of the Turning Tide

Time — As in all Gardner mysteries, now.

Place — A fashionable West Coast resort.

Some of the dramatic and colorful characters involved—

TED SHALE: all he wants is to sell wealthy Addison Stearne some hotel supplies — and he pancakes right into what looks like a double murder on a yacht.

NITA MOLINE: glamorous and seductive blonde. What is she to Stearne? and what is she doing aboard the yacht?

JOAN HARPLER: her Albatross is anchored near the palatial Gypsy Queen. She seems to spend a lot of her time aboard — when she isn’t swimming.

PEARL RIGHT: she is worried. Has her jealousy driven her husband to murder?

WARREN HILBERS: Pearl’s brother. His chief concern is his sister’s well-being and no effort seems too great to save her from her conscience.

ELWELL AND FIELDING: they don’t want Stearne to take up the option on their oil well.

FRANK DURYEA: young D.A. He finds himself sharing the investigation with the whole family—

...including...

hell-raising, foxy old Grandpa Wiggins who comes in like a lamb and goes out like a lion.