On a golden summer evening in 1990 Robin Timariot is nearing the end of his six-day tramp along Offa's Dyke En route he encounters an elegant middle-aged woman and they exchange a few enigmatic and unforgettable words On returning home he learns that the woman - Louise Paxton - was raped and murdered nearby Robin, fascinated by her memory, is drawn into the complex motives and relationships of her family and friends, searching for what truly happened Yet his search threatens many powerful people, people liable to mete out violence and death to anyone on the track of the hideous course of events