In the summer of 1949, Colonel Adrien de Crecy Johnson is fishing in the Highland river Edendale when he hooks a great salmon. However, as he reels the fish in during a monumental struggle that takes the fisherman all across the water, he finds himself amidst a decomposed human corpse. Apparently the victim, Gabriel Daggers, purchased a large life insurance policy only five months ago from the Anchor Accident Insurance Company.

The insurance company's General Manager Montague Cork was planning to go on a three-week salmon-fishing trip. He decides to visit the locale where the seemingly healthy Daggers allegedly drowned, as the case feels suspiciously wrong. However, Montague never suspected that the inquiries would interrupt his fishing trip, but then again he was unaware of the villainous activities that permeate the Scottish Highlands.

CORK ON THE WATER is a reprint of a 1951 novel that fans of historiography will fully enjoy. The story line is entertaining as the mystery unfolds. Montague is a wonderful character and his sidekick Robert Shipley adds humor and depth to the tale. However, what makes this tale so much fun is that Macdonald Hastings paints a masterpiece of 1949 England that does not depend on research as he was there to write a contemporary. Joyfully, more Cork reprints are to follow.

This is a classic book on wingshooting and will remain as one forever. It should be a part of the collection of any wing shooter.