Cannibal Caper

Book excerpt: JC and Susan Shelby, fresh from their adventure aboard the ill-fated Russian cruise ship, MS Alexander Nevsky (Dead in the Water), are fated to have their leisurely stop over on their way back to Honolulu in the idyllic Fiji Islands interrupted when a fellow vacationer from New York is ostensibly captured by a band of cannibals. Mr. Throttlebottom, CEO of Murkies chain of cheap clothing stores, the victim, and his wife, Emma are traveling with their aide, Crassley Fenwick to Hong Kong to make a deal on some manufacturing for the chain. Events take a peculiar turn with local revolution in the air to divert the local police when an unexpected death occurs deep in the Sugar cane fields. Mr. Soni, the Indo-Fijian manager of the Star Fish Beach Resort, would give anything to have these troublesome people on their way but storms in the area prevent travel in or out. Timi and his Uncle Vat, local Fijians, render invaluable aide in helping Susan and JC collar the culprits. The story takes place against the background of the vigorous sugar cane industry that occupies the city of Lautoka and the northern shores of Viti Levu, the largest of the Fijis 400 plus islands.