Characters include a man with one arm, a woman who is a champion swimmer who is in love with the one armed man, and I think a young girl. I got to the point where the swimmer is killed, and lost the book. I think it was published in the 1980s.
Stump the Bookseller
New format, same book stumper solving.
This book is definitely “Tour de Force” by Christianna Brand! It does not take place on a ship, but on a small (fictional) island near Italy. There is a one-armed man, and a woman who is in love with the one-armed man (she is an amateur diver but not a champion swimmer) along with a young woman who is a famous author. The diver is indeed the victim. My copy was published in the 80s but it was originally published in 1955 I believe.
I just finished this one – it’s a great read!