From the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch’s Daughter comes the story of Gretel, all grown up and investigating a series of mysterious disappearances off the coast of Bavaria.

Gretel―yes, that Gretel―is now all grown up and working as a private investigator in eighteenth-century Bavaria. Her professional interest is piqued when she begins to hear whispers of of mysterious goings-on off the coast of Schleswig-Holstein: sailors are disappearing, and there are rumors of mermaids and sea creatures and all manner of slippery, sea-based happenings.

Ordinarily, Gretel’s interest in sea life does not extend beyond that which is edible and already on the plate before her. However, funds are low, and the captain of the ship Arabella makes a tempting offer of good pay and a free cruise in return for her detective services. With a splendid new wig packed, Hans as her bodyguard on the journey north, and the promise of two weeks of fine dining and erudite company while sailing around the picturesque Frisian Islands, what could possibly go wrong?