Overview

Hagers Point, South Carolina, 1972. Robert Hendrick, a 42-year-old reporter for the Charleston Courier, is sent to South Carolina's Jaheewah Island to write a series of articles on the University-sponsored, government-funded marine biology institute. Dr. Heinrich Stassen, an internationally recognized research scientist and lecturer at the Institute, mysteriously dies, his body washing up on the south end of the island. Stassen's death is ruled an accidental drowning. Exhumation of the body is impossible because Stassen was cremated after the hearing. Dr. Farrow, Head of the Institute, welcomes Hendrick's visit not knowing that Hendrick is also to investigate Stassen's death. Having experience as a crime reporter, Hendrick cleverly discovers a flaw in the coroner's ruling and begins a methodical unraveling of an apparent plot to rid the Institute of its most eminent staff member. Strong characters abound in this cloistered environment.There's the distinguished, somewhat aloof and controlling Dr. Farrow; there's Jason, Farrow's adept overseer of facilities, operations, and unofficial activities of Institute members--particularly students; there's Margaret Courtney, Stassen's lab assistant; there's Beebo, an Alzheimic lifelong resident of the island, looked after by Farrow; and then there's Jaheewah, God of the Winds, the bird-god of legend from whom the island derives its name. Hendrick's probes ultimately lead to Farrow. Farrow's words, "Now that you know, you are as much a part of the problem as we," challenge Hendrick's ethics and responsibility as a reporter.