This is excellent! "Five Passengers from Lisbon" was published in 1946 and there is a strong feel of World War II hanging over it. Marcia Colfax, her fiance Mickey, the mysterious “wharf rat” (Mickey's term) Gili, Luther and Daisy Belle Cates, and three seaman (including third mate Castiogne) abandon a sinking cargo boat and board a lifeboat. I was reminded of the stories I've heard about the Titanic and Lusitania – the horror of the survivors (and near-survivors) waiting in lifeboats and dealing with the elements that might just kill them before they can be rescued. For Luther Cates there is a bit of deju vu – his father was on the Titanic.

Fortunately, they are rescued by a Red Cross hospital ship, the Magnolia. However, only seven of them are alive – Castiogne is dead. At first, the others on the lifeboat think he has died from exposure – but he was stabbed. It is obvious that one of the survivors on the lifeboat killed him, but which one?

The captain of the Magnolia launches an investigation into the murder. The last thing he wants is to endanger the passengers on his ship – wounded veterans returning home. He rescued Marcia Colfax and her companions, so he feels responsible for bringing a killer on board.

This was a well-written, suspenseful tale with interesting characters. I thought the connection between Colonel Morgan, Mickey, and Marcia was a little coincidental, but that's a minor caveat. This is really one of MGE's best books. I don't know why more movies weren't made from her books, especially this one.

Very recommended.