Carquinez Straits is a Who-Dun-It mystery involving a United States Navy career officer in a bizarre murder and missing person's investigation. As his career in the Navy is winding down, Lieutenant Commander Noel Brandt reports to his new and last sea duty command aboard an aging ammunition ship USS Mount Saint Helens, commanded by a tyrant, Captain Robert (Mongo) Sutton. Noel is determined to make the best of the situation with his commander and finds comfort in a relationship with a beautiful woman fifteen years his junior. Noel soon finds himself under police scrutiny when Captain Sutton ends up missing, and LCDR Brandt becomes a suspect in not one, but possibly two murders.