Alaska Sonata is a classic mystery set in the time of the Nome, Alaska gold rush.
Before the S.S. Victoria completes her spring run to Nome. Stumpy, Andrew Macfarlane, ex wrestler, ship's detective, and pianist on "Old Vic" must peel away layers of confusion and false leads to deliver the murderer to the captain.
Because of his looks, Stumpy's shrewdness is usually underestimated. But not by Victoria's captain, Thor Lundstrom. "Storm", as his crew call him, demands the impossible from Stumpy and will get it.
"How can a dead man be killed?" As he walks the beach of the indian village, Hoonah, Alaska, this question is floated toward Stumpy by a woman shaman. Impossible? Or is it? "You know, or will know," the shaman continues, leaving Stumpy scratching his head, rather his toupee--"time is not a line, but rather a circle." This confusing enigma is only one of many impossibilities Stumpy faces as ship's detective aboard the S.S. Victoria as he attempts to wade through the flotsam of lies obscuring the first murder. Then there are more.
Short legged, with arms like an ape, Stumpy presents a grotesque appearance.
He is mocked by the passengers, until they hear him play the piano, and are enthralled by his sensitivity. Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata is his set piece for the first class diners, yet he can not make it past the first movement. Grotesque murder interrupts his performance.
For help, Stumpy relies upon Victoria's crew: Bobby Burns, purser, alcoholic and afraid of the water; First Mate Smith, a pompous ingratiating boot licker; Matty, ship's nurse who has 'seen it all'. She is in love with Stumpy and will do anything to help him; As his eyes and ears, Stumpy relies upon the men from steerage who are traveling to the gold fields of Nome. As high in character as they are low in station they come to Stumpy's rescue.
The Victoria, racing to be the first ship of the season into Nome, is stopped dead in the water. Captain Lundstrom fumes when delays compound delays and force detours. He wants to give his detective some slack, but cannot.
