Detective Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte is summoned to the rugged Australian coast to investigate the disappearance of a man from a boat, a case that quickly reveals a complex web of criminal activity. Bonaparte must navigate the isolation of the reef and the reticence of the local fishing community to uncover the truth behind the vanishing. He faces the physical challenges of the maritime environment and the logical hurdles of a crime scene that offers few conventional clues. The narrative follows Bonaparte's methodical, observational approach as he pits his intellect against elusive adversaries in a remote setting.

This work is regarded as a classic entry in the long-running series featuring Napoleon Bonaparte, showcasing Arthur Upfield's signature blend of procedural mystery and Australian landscape description. The narrative is noted for its focus on the detective's unique methodology, which relies heavily on his ability to read both the environment and the people within it. Readers often appreciate the atmospheric setting, which serves as more than just a backdrop, actively influencing the constraints of the investigation. The book remains a staple for those interested in the evolution of the detective genre in mid-twentieth-century Australia.