Aboard the schooner Terrapin, seven men set sail, but only three remain after three days in the stifling doldrums. In the oppressive heat and eerie calm of the open sea, one by one, crew members vanish without a trace, leaving nothing but cryptic clues: a trailing rope and ghostly lanterns. As tension rises and paranoia grips the survivors, the truth unravels—a cunning plot to trap a ruthless shipowner and reclaim control of the small-port trade. But even the best-laid plans carry an air of dread in these cursed waters.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alan Le May (June 3, 1899 – April 27, 1964) was an American novelist, screenwriter, and film director best known for his Westerns. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Le May graduated from the University of Chicago before embarking on a successful writing career. His most famous works include The Searchers (1954) and The Unforgiven (1957), both of which were adapted into iconic films. In addition to his novels, Le May wrote screenplays for numerous Westerns, contributing significantly to the genre in both literature and film.