This is the fifth book of the adventures of Admiral Sir Geoffrey Cockburn RN. Cocky has never been a conventional hero. Events happen to him, rather than being initiated by him. He has usually been a victim of circumstances and fortunate to escape. This trip to America and the Pacific North West is no exception. On what was supposed to be a quiet sailing holiday in Portland Oregon on the Columbia river, Cocky gets caught up in a bungled kidnapping and a boat chase down the great river. This time there are Chinese gangsters and a beautiful ex-FBI agent to add to the mix; not to mention an estate agent with murderous intent...