I redeemed an advance reader copy of this book from BookishFirst. Buc (16) and Eld (19) are partners in the mystery solving business. Eld rescued Buc from the streets and taught her to read. They both despise magic and mages for different reasons. Neither knows the other's reasons. Sambucina (Buc) and Eldritch (Eld) have just been saved from the gallows by a woman who works for the Kanados Trading Company. She has heard of the other cases Buc and Eld have solved and offers to spare their lives if they will solve a mystery for her. They obviously, but not very eagerly accept. The Trading Company's ships carrying sugar have been targeted and keep going down at sea. Buc and Eld are to find out who is sinking the ships and kill them. Along the way, many lies are told, ships are sunk, and they discover something neither of them was looking for.