The Last Voyage of the Shelduck is an intriguing book that details the ongoing mystery of the Shelduck – a seagoing leisure cruiser – which is bought out of dilapidated retirement to enter Dutch waters. The object of contention is a valuable Leiberman painting, which ultimately leads to the coup de grâce in a gripping finale. The story bides its time in pursuit of retribution and is full of character sketches. This novel perceptively portrays real people who engage with witty dialogue in an unfolding conspiracy. The author Tim Parker is not only a shrewd observer of human behaviour, but he also combines an elegant command of words with an economy of explanation borne from his years as a columnist for the daily Brighton Argus. An ideal read for a book club, The Last Voyage of the Shelduck is an amusing book that is littered with quirky elements that never ceases to be entertaining, providing the opportunity for endless discussion by all who read it.