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