This the first in the series of Montague Cork mysteries and in it we are transported to Scotland,by the bank of a Highland river. Here an elderly gentleman is fishing for salmon and when he finally gets a bite he has a tremendous struggle to land it. When he finally brings his catch to the surface however,it is not a salmon but a decaying body that he sees. Several weeks later Mr.Cork,Manager of the Anchor Insurance Co,receives a claim on the life of one Gabriel Daggers,who insured with the company a few months earlier.This man was the one whose body was fished out of the river in Scotland. Cork,who is also a fisherman decides to check up on the facts of the matter and at the same time give himself a fishing holiday.
From then on the story develops like a Richard Hannay adventure,with plenty of chases across the moors,shoot-outs and dirty deeds aplenty. The author was well versed in country pursuits,being an enthusiast in fishing and shooting,and thus was well able to write books such as this with an authentic voice. ( )