Frank and Joe Hardy arrived at the Manhattan cruise terminal; they have been invited to go on a literary cruise by their friend Jessica Fletcher. The three met in Cabot Cove, Maine when their father world renowned investigator Fenton Hardy went missing, Jessica helped the boys find him and saved him. Since then, the three developed a friendship.

"I'm so excited about this cruise, some of the best authors in literature are going to be on the ship." Said Frank

"Yippee!" said Joe sarcastically teasing his brother

"You know Joe, if you didn't want to come you could've said so." Said Frank

"What stay home? You know I get bored without you around." Said Joe

"You may end up having fun on this cruise." Said Frank

Suddenly they see Jessica walking along the terminal

"Hey Jessica over here!" they shouted

She sees them and walks right over to them, they hugged and greeted each other

"Boys it's so good to see you again." Said Jessica

"Thank you for inviting us." Said Frank

"You're quite welcome boys, my publisher sent me two extra tickets and I just knew that you would want come, especially you Frank since you have a strong interest in literature." Said Jessica

"Thanks again, I can't wait to meet some of these great authors present company included." Said Frank complimenting Jessica

The cruise ship was ready to board, they walked up the boarding ramp where the cruise director was waiting to greet them

"Welcome aboard the SS Fisher. My name is Kirk and I am the director of this cruise." He spoke

"I am Jessica Fletcher and these are my two guests Frank and Joe Hardy." She introduced

"Well welcome aboard Mrs. Fletcher." Said kirk

"Is there anything fun on this ship?" Joe asked

"We have all the activities that a normal cruise would have like shuffleboard, swimming and a nightclub." Kirk responded

"Which you're too young to get into." Said Frank reminding Joe"

"Let me show you all to your cabins." Said Kirk as he escorts the three of them to their cabins.

They arrive at their cabins. The cabins were across from each other "don't forget the banquet is at 8pm." Said Kirk

"What do we first?" Frank asked

"I say we check out the pool!" Joe suggested

"Good Idea Joe, coming Jessica?" Frank asked

"Oh no, I am going into my room and work on my upcoming novel, but we can meet for lunch." Jessica suggested

"Sounds good." Said Frank

Frank and Joe went into their cabin and changed into their bathing suits and went down to the pool. Joe wasted no time as he jumps right into the pool, Frank went and sat in one of the beach chairs at poolside. He noticed a pretty young blonde girl lying in the chair next to him, she catches him staring at her

"Hello." She spoke

"Hello. I'm sorry for staring." Said Frank realizing he's been caught

"That's okay, I'm Rachel by the way." She said introducing herself

"I'm Frank." He said introducing himself

"You an author? Being that this is literary cruise and all. "She asked

"No, I was invited by a friend who's an author, you may have heard of her Jessica Fletcher?" Frank asked

"Oh yeah JB Fletcher the mystery author, I read her work." Said Rachel

"How about you are an author?" Frank asked

"Not yet, I hope to be one day. I'm studying journalism in college." She responded

Suddenly they hear a cry for help, Frank gets up and runs over to the banister and sees a man in the ocean drowning. Joe runs over and joins him; Frank takes off his shirt and without hesitation he jumps in the ocean

"Frank!" Joe yelled as he jumps in after his brother

They swim over to the man and pulls him towards the ship, crew members toss floating rings into the water as they grab them, then the crew members tossed down a ladder as Frank and Joe along with the man climb up on the deck. The medical crew takes him away to get checked out.

Moments later Frank and Joe were on the deck drying off with towels. Jessica walks over to them and the boys tell her what happened

"Are you boys alright?" Jessica asked

"We're fine." Said Frank

The captain walks over to them and starts yelling at them

"What were you boys thinking? You could've drowned or washed away by the waves

"What were we supposed to do cap let the guy drown?" Joe yelled

"All right everyone let's all calm down." Jessica suggested

"How is the man?" Frank asked

"The doctor said he's going to be okay." Said the captain

"May we see him?" Frank asked

The captain escorts them to the exam room, the man was sitting on the exam table wrapped in a towel. He had scraggly salt and pepper hair with a matching beard. He looks up at boys

"Thank you for saving for my life." Said the man

"What's your name?" Frank asked

"My name is Fred." The man responded

"I'm Frank and this my brother Joe and Mrs. Jessica Fletcher." He said making the introductions

"Fred, how did you end up in the middle of the ocean?" Jessica asked

"Well, I was on a fishing boat, it caught on fire. So, I had no choice, but to jump, luckily for me this ship came by and saw me otherwise I would've been a goner." Said Fred

"Anyone else on the ship?" Joe asked

"No, just me." He responded

"Thank heavens for that. Well, I think you need to rest, so we'll go." Said Jessica a she and the boys go out into the hallway

"What a story." Said Frank

"There's something strange about this guy's story." Said Joe

"Well, that may be, but in the meantime, I think you boys should go to your room and dry off and rest before the banquet tonight." Jessica suggested

"Good Idea, we'll see you tonight." Said Frank as he and Joe head to their room.