Death in Shetland Waters
Cass has returned at last to her beloved tall ship Sørlandet, as third mate. She’s glad to be back at sea, but something doesn’t feel right; there’s a stranger on board, being aided or tracked by her mysterious cousin Sean. Her fellow-officer, Agnetha, looks unwell, and her watch-leader, Erik, also has something on his mind. Then, as they head for Scottish waters, one of the trainees disappears ... Cass and her lover DI Gavin Macrae return in a page-turning novel of murder and skullduggery aboard a vividy-evoked modern sail-training ship.
Praise for Death in Shetland Waters
“Marsali Taylor's Cass Lynch series is rapidly becoming a by-word for gripping mysteries with a large sailing component, but this is the first I've read which is set almost entirely on-board ship... more power to Marsali Taylor for using her own specialized knowledge to bring her world to vibrant life for the ordinary reader with just enough technical detail. That this knowledge also proves intrinsic to the plot should come as no surprise.”
— Lynne Patrick, Mystery People
Walking from the café with the exceedingly good cake towards Sørlandet at her home berth in Kristiansand.
Before the sails are unfurled, the yards they hang from have to be pulled round into the right position for the wind. The lowest, heaviet one takes the whole watch to get it moved.
Then trainees put on their harnesses and climb up to untie the sails from the yard.
The officers’ view from the aft deck, with the captain’s coffin and the ship’s wheel.
The park in Stavanger, where Cass takes Cat for a run.
Sunset at sea.
The north coast of Scotland from on board.
Scrubbing the decks- the ship has to be beautiful for her arrival in Belfast.
The pilot comes aboard.
Coming into Belfast docks.
Sørlandet with all her flags flying.
The Titanic Belfast Maritime Museum, where Cass has a dangerous encounter with a murderer.
Trainees and crew from all the ships lined up for the crew parade.
The big fish.
Author Comment
In this novel, Cass takes up her post as third mate of the Norwegian tall ship Sørlandet. That was a fantastic research job: to go aboard as a trainee for that very voyage. The watches, the stops, the weather, the activities were all just as I’ve described them. I’m afraid my presence called out the worst instincts of crew and trainees alike; even our dignified Captain Sture came up to me and murmured, ‘If I was going to hide a body on board ...’