Crime, mystery, adventure, thrills—all are to be found in this short-story collection commencing with “The Ship That Died of Shame,” in which a former navy gunboat is used for smuggling by ex-servicemen down on their luck in postwar society. In “The Reconciliation,” a husband employs private detectives but then changes his mind about a divorce once their findings are revealed. In “Licensed to Kill,” a honeymoon soon turns into a manhunt when a former Royal Marine commando employs the tricks of his trade. A further seven stories complete a volume full of twists, turns, and hard-hitting drama.