The Dark Ocean

The Dark Ocean, a mystery novel by American author Jack Vance, first appeared in 1985 from Underwood-Miller and was later included in the 2002 Vance Integral Edition. Its protagonist, Betty Haverhill, is a young woman from California who sets out on a voyage of self-discovery from San Francisco aboard an Italian freighter, with stops in El Salvador, Panama, Venezuela, Spain, and Italy. Her desire for change and freedom is thwarted when she discovers that Ted Bunpole, a former suitor, has been sent by her mother to follow her; he further annoys her by claiming to be her fiancé, a notion she quickly corrects with him and the other passengers. Betty develops a mild attraction to Mik Finsch, an older, mysterious man, but after she accepts his invitation for drinks in his cabin, he pressures her for more. As she resists, Ted bursts in and fights Finsch, ultimately thrashing the larger man before the captain intervenes; Finsch claims he was only warming up. Betty briefly feels warmth toward Ted for his heroism, but he soon acts boorishly again, demanding she accept his proposal. She refuses and wishes he would leave her alone. Another passenger warns Betty that Finsch’s wounded pride will lead him to seek revenge on Ted. That night, Ted disappears, and a typewritten suicide note is found, though suspicions arise without proof. When another death linked to Finsch occurs soon after, Betty becomes certain he is a murderer. The two become enemies, and Betty fears she may be his next victim.