Thirteen-year-old Simon Renier has no idea when he boards the M.S. Orion with his cousin Forsyth Phair that their journey to Venezuela will be a dangerous one. His original plan—to return a family heirloom, a portrait of Simon Bolivar, to its rightful place—is sidetracked when cousin Forsyth is found murdered. When the portrait is stolen, all passengers and crew are suspects. Simon#146;s newfound friends, Poly and Charles O#146;Keefe, and their scientist father help Simon try to find his painting, and his cousin#146;s murderer. But will they succeed before they land? Or will the murderer and thief escape into the jungles of Venezuela?