The Riddle of the Sands

"The Riddle of the Sands" by Erskine Childers is an early 20th-century maritime adventure that mixes spying and political games, following Carruthers as he gets pulled into a strange yachting trip with Davies. Carruthers starts out as a bored young man, feeling lost in London after summer, when he gets a surprise invite from Davies to sail in the Schleswig fiords. As Carruthers gets ready for the trip, he thinks back on his past with Davies and his own lack of excitement about life. The story's start introduces the characters and creates a mysterious mood that suggests bigger political issues, hinting that their trip might involve more than just sailing and shooting, setting the scene for a journey that mixes personal growth with hidden dangers.