While Reeman novels are usually set at sea and this one does happen on and near the sea, much of it takes place on land and doesn't involve the navy. Former naval officer, Philip Vivian, has fallen on hard times and is poised to lose his yacht Sea Fox. On his way to the bank to face the music, he meets an old friend from naval days who offers him a job taking a man to France which will pay enough money to pay off the debt.

He knows the whole concept is shaky but he trusts his friend. Soon he is fleeing Custom cutters and being threaten by smugglers and counterfeiters. He also falls in love with the engraver's daughter who is used as a hostage to make Vivian recover engraving plates.

Violence in Reeman novels is usually the vivid descriptions of shells and bullets smashing into ships and the men who serve on them. Here the violence is the graphic type men do to other men and women.

This was Reeman's second novel. ( )