When Sammy Starling, a former London gangster with a passion for collecting, discovers that his beautiful young wife is missing, he assumes old enemies in the police force are taking their revenge. Ten years ago Starling's evidence of police corruption put DI Marty Keller, an ambitious, clever young cop with everything to live for, behind bars. Now Keller is out. And getting even?
When DCI David Brock's investigation team is disbanded for suspicion of corruption, Detective Sergeant Kathy Kolla, reporting to the Fraud Squad, needs to find out why nothing in this case seems to be making sense. What is the connection between Starling's absorption in philately and McLarren's obsession with the legendary forgers, Raphael and the Beast? How much do Toby and Helen Fitzpatrick, Starling's country neighbours, know about Eva's disappearance?
Using tenacity, ingenuity and intelligence, Kolla links the pieces in this puzzle of kidnapping, murder and revenge, and finds answers that no one is expecting.
