The Good Ship Murder

Two merry widows, Tilly and Elsa, are on a grief cruise to celebrate the lives of their departed loved ones. When the ship docks in Cape Verde, the two of them join a small group going to visit a shrine to pay their respects to those they have lost. When Tilly is found murdered, Jack and Kate investigate to uncover the killer's identity.

When the ship docks in Valletta, Malta, brothers Dominic and Christopher depart on a scavenger hunt around the capital city. Dominic is accompanied by his wife Rosie, while Christopher is joined by Julia, a woman he met on the ship. During the hunt, Dominic is found dead and various suspects emerge. Also, Kate is forced to take control of the bridge as Marlowe potentially puts the ship in serious peril.

In Ibiza, two old flames, Alex and Lucia, reunite in the nightclub where they first kissed some twenty years previously. Alex is on a lads holiday with his lairy mate Gary, and Lucia now co-owns the club. But then Lucia's slimy business associate, Rico, is murdered - pushed off the balcony of the club. Jack and Kate are on the case.

Various suspects emerge. Lucia herself seems to have ample motive for wanting Rico out of the picture. Also in the frame are Carmen Rivera, a local mafia boss who is trying to force Lucia out of the club, as well as her henchman Paco. In an effort to protect Lucia, Alex himself actually turns himself in, confessing to the crime.

Meanwhile, in the wake of learning about Marlowe's illness, Jack remains at odds with Kate, but he can't stay mad with her for long and the pair eventually reach a new understanding. Also, Jamil prepares for his big audition to join the Ents team.

The ship docks in Ancona, Italy. Piers is in great spirits, and arranges to meet Sharon for some food, their romance blossoming beautifully. But first he must entertain two old naval college friends, Jens and Antoine. The arrogant Jens wastes no time in attempting to humiliate and goad Piers.

Meanwhile, Captain Marlowe, who has been confined to his cabin, starts to suffer from delusions associated with his early on set dementia. After bumping into Carole, he tracks Piers down to the café where he is meeting Jens and Antoine, accusing him of being a traitor and attempting to steal the captaincy from him. Someone close to the ship is found murdered, Jack and a devastated Kate are on the case.

Various suspects are in play. Jens appears to be the prime suspect, and has ample motive. Antoine, too, has his own secret - he had been in love with the victim and feels downcast at being rejected by him. Even Sharon, the ships doctor, is in the frame.

But when the murder weapon is found, a dagger that Marlowe had been brandishing in the café, it appears that Marlowe himself is surely the culprit. He is arrested and looks likely to be charged and incarcerated.

Jack, however, senses there is more to this and vows to bring the true culprit to justice.