Richard and Robin Mariner are on their first vacation in years when their plans are slightly altered. They come across the beautiful ship "Katapult" anchored in the Indian Ocean and are fascinated by the possibilities of what the design itself can do for their shipping company, Heritage Mariner. The creator and owners of the ship agree to take them on a voyage to test the multihull beauty, since it is obvious the couple know a thing or two about the sea and the vessels that sail its waters. They are all enjoying themselves when they hear a "May Day" call and race to investigate the situation.

The group on the "Katapult" finally locates the ship that sent the distress signal, billowing smoke and flames coming from hull make in painfully obvious. They find the ship strangely deserted with damage that can only come from an air assault; they barely manage to get off the ship before in explodes.

Unfortunately for the Mariners, the strange occurrences do not stop there. They are informed that a terrorist group has taken one of the Heritage Mariner ships and its crew hostage. Leaders of the armed forces refuse to take part in any rescue mission, so Richard has to take matters into his own hands.

This second book in the Richard Mariner series by Peter Tonkin, following THE COFFIN SHIP, spins an exciting, action-packed thriller with colorful characters and enough intrigue to keep the pages turning straight to the end. Definitely a great read.