Summary: A woman who hates boats sets Philip Marlowe into motion on his next mystery. A man in a dark room hires Marlowe to check up on his wife, Ona Estabrook. It's not worries about divorce, but Mr Estabrook suspects his wife is in danger. <br> Marlowe doesn't beat around the bush, but when he confronts the former dancer in a Mexican bar, he ends up face to face with a thug with a knife. Why does he want to know Marlowe's business with the woman>? When Philip wakes up, he's in the hands of a friendly tourist named, Roman. A body turns up, but who is the mysterious killer? <br> The chase is on to see who has a hold over Ona, and cause to overcome her fear of being on boats to meet with them. Has he found Dolph Bently? Who is the latest man waving a gun in Marlowe's direction? Is Roman more than just a tourist who keeps bailing Marlowe out of trouble? The answers aren't apparent to Marlowe, but in epilog he tells how the tangled mess all shook out. <br>
