The novelist Gore Vidal passed away Tuesday at 86. Although Vidal is better known for his later historical works, the author started his writing career with a mystery novel about the Aleutians.

Williwaw is set aboard a supply freighter transiting the islands during World War II. The book was based on Vidal’s own experiences as the 19-year-old first mate of a similar ship. According to a 2003 PBS interview, Vidal wrote most of Williwaw during a trip between Chernofski and Unalaska. He finished it while recovering from frostbite in a military hospital.

Vidal went on to write 25 other novels and hundreds of essays.