Patrick Dawlish is used to solving crimes, not being suspected of them--until now, in this Golden Age British mystery from the Edgar Award-winning author. Patrick Dawlish has to admire Marion Ard's persistence. After first writing and telephoning, she shows up on his doorstep, begging for his help. Marion is convinced that a strange man has been following her for the last seven months. Tired of the police ignoring her pleas, she has turned to Dawlish as a last resort. But Dawlish and his wife are leaving on a much-needed holiday the following morning. All he can do is ask his friend Tim Jeremy to shadow her for the next few days. Weeks into the cruise, Dawlish gets a letter from Tim.

Not only was Marion being followed, but she's disappeared. And then, her body is found--in a trunk in Dawlish's home. Catching the next flight back, Dawlish finds himself in a position he's never been in before--the prime suspect in a murder. With Tim missing, it becomes clear that someone has put into motion the perfect plan to take him down, but it's never smart to count Dawlish out .