When the body of an attractive young woman is discovered in a flooded quarry, susicion naturally falls in her employer, Simon - a lonely, middle-aged man who lives above his antiquarian bookshop. Rumours had already been spreading about his relationship with Morwenna and people are quick to jump to conclusions.

Detective Superintendent Wycliffe finds it hard to tally his impression of the shy bookseller with the violent crime he's investigating. Everything he discovers suggests Morwenna was manipulating her boss. But why? The people of Truro are not as cautious, however, and Simon is soon the target of some disturbing vigilante attacks. When Wycliffe discovers that the victim had reason to bear a grudge against Simon the case is turned on its head. But Morwenna was hiding more than one secret...