Dead in the Water

Inside the corrupt and secret business of global shipping, the explosive true story of a notorious international fraud and murder

Winner of the True Crime Awards Book of the Year

Shortlisted for the Financial Times Business Book of the Year Award

***A Waterstones Best Books of 2022 pick***

A Financial Times, The Times and The Economist Book of the Year

'Gripping... A startling tale of fraud and impunity. ' The Economist

'I read it in one sitting, and I know it'll stay with me for a long time.' Oliver Bullough, Sunday Times bestselling author of Moneyland

Inside the corrupt and secret business of global shipping, the explosive true story of a notorious international fraud and murder

In July 2011, the oil tanker Brillante Virtuoso was drifting through the treacherous Gulf of Aden when a crew of pirates attacked the vessel and set her ablaze. But when David Mockett, a maritime surveyor working for the ship's insurer Lloyd's of London, inspected the damaged vessel, he was left with more questions than answers. Soon after he started his investigation, Mockett was killed by a car bomb.

Through first-hand accounts - from members of the crew who survived the hijacking to the ex-London detectives turned private investigators seeking to solve Mockett's murder - award-winning reporters Matthew Campbell and Kit Chellel piece together the explosive true story behind one of the most brazen financial frauds in history.