Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers is at a loss: The daughter of her friend Taymullah Azhar has been taken by her mother, and Barbara cant really help-Azhar never married Angelina, and his name isnt on Hadiyyahs birth certificate. The trail a private detective follows goes cold. Then Angelina reappears with shocking news: Hadiyyah has been kidnapped in Italy. The Italian police are investigating, and the Yard wont get involved, until Barbara takes matters into her own hands. Her partner, Inspector Thomas Lynley, is dispatched to Italy, and Barbara and Lynley discover secrets that could have far-reaching effects.