November, 1956. Lord Elsmere, an old friend of Donald Langham's literary agent, Charles Elder, is in a pickle - his favourite painting, a Gainsborough, has been stolen from under his nose. What's more, there's no evidence of a break-in. The family heirloom was recently re-insured for a hefty price, and Elsmere is struggling financially. Could he have staged the theft, or was it taken by one of the guests?

Old Major Rutherford, evasive beauty Rebecca Miles, Dutch war hero Patrick Verlinden, Elsmere's son Dudley Mariner and his statuesque sculpture fianc e, Esmeralda Bellamy, are all guests at the manor. But who would steal the painting, and why?

Private investigators Langham and Ralph Ryland take on the case and soon uncover seething animosities, jealousy, secrets and deception, before events take a shocking turn...