Dead in the Water: Murder and Fraud in the World's Most Secretive Industry

by Matthew Campbell

Inside the corrupt and secret business of global shipping, t he 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.

288 pages, Paperback

Published May 4, 2023

Reviews

[Ryan Lian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly readable and interesting insight into Lloyds of London and the shipping industry.

[Keith Johnstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book, hard to put down, very well researched, and fascinating. Real credit to the authors for really bringing every significant person in the book alive and casting some light on the shadowy side of shipping and insurance. A must read.

[Karen Beard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dead in the Water by Matthew Campbell and Kit Chellel is an explosive true crime story detailing the “fake” hijacking of a large oil tanker off the coast of Yemen for the insurance money. We follow the dogged private investigators as they peel the onion uncovering corruption at the highest levels of global finance involving the shipping industry, Lloyd’s of London, Greek Oligarchs and corrupt Yemen officials. It reads like a gripping suspense novel, thrilling, finely paced and shocking in its revelations. Campbell and Chellel take us step by step through this complicated tale which starts with a report of piracy and its investigation by a British surveyor, David Mockett, who is murdered. His is not the only suspicious death in this tale. What is revealed by the ex-London detectives turned private investigators is conspiracy and corruption of global proportions. There are white knuckle, hair raising occurrences making this book at times unputdownable!
I highly recommend this amazing feat of investigative journalism. Thank you to Penguin Random House for the Advance reading Copy. Enthusiastic 4 stars!!!!!