Three impossible crimes. Two unlikely detectives. One deadly voyage..

It's 1634 and Samuel Pipps, the world's greatest detective, is being transported from the Dutch East Indies to Amsterdam, where he is set to face trial for a crime that no one dares speak of. But no sooner is the ship out to sea than devilry begins to blight the voyage. Strange symbols appear on the sails. A figure stalks the decks. Livestock are slaughtered.

Passengers are plagued with ominous threats, promising them three unholy miracles. First: an impossible pursuit. Second: an impossible theft. Then: an impossible murder. With Pipps imprisoned in the depths of the ship, can his loyal bodyguard, Arent Hayes solve the mystery before the ship descends into anarchy?

A beguiling historical mystery from the award-winning author of the dazzling The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle.

'Wildly inventive, Turton's tale defies definition as either historical fiction or crime novel, but provides all the pleasures of both genres and more. No novel this year was more fun to read' Sunday Times

'A glorious mash-up of William Golding and Arthur Conan Doyle' Val McDermid

'A locked room murder mystery... by way of Treasure Island' Guardian

'A superb historical mystery: inventive, twisty, addictive and utterly beguiling... A TRIUMPH' Will Dean

'If you read one book this year, make sure it's this one' Daily Mail