What do you do when your dog finds a boot with human bones in it washed up on your beach? James Hulme is faced with that problem. His property is on a small island that can only be reached by private boat. That makes the problem of getting the proper authorities to investigate the discovery difficult.There is no regular police presence on Hulme’s island, which is not surprising since there are few inhabitants and no public facilities. Indeed, James and his wife, Tanya, have spent many years building their cabin from nothing and developing their property from almost nothing, by themselves, without relying on others or getting much help. The other inhabitants of the island are mainly summer cottagers, equally used to fending for themselves without reliance on public services.A boot with human remains in it has to be reported to the authorities, but who to contact? As happens to James more and more, the situation reminds him of a previous occasion when a related problem arose. It leads him to the appropriate police force, though he has to go through the Coast Guard first, who have to have a look at the situation before referring James to a not-very-distant police departmentThe constable assigned to the case is inexperienced in the ways of the sea and remote islands. James finds he has to help her, both in island ways and in how to investigate using a boat. These unusual activities stir more memories as he and Tanya help the authorities solve the mystery of the boot and put a wrench into the workings of a smuggling ring while getting on with their usual activities.

Island Rambling: The Puzzle of the Boot PDF

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