A woman mysteriously disappears from Valley View Nursing Home and is reported missing. Sussex Police are short on resources and pass the case to Blanchflower and his associate, Inspector Ferraud.
The Chief of Police contacts Ferraud and he convinces Blanchflower to travel with him to Pease Pottage to down the missing person.
While they examine the woman's past, Blanchflower learns something about himself that changes the dynamic between him and Ferraud forever and when Blanchflower later drops a bombshell; it makes Ferraud re-evaluate their working arrangements.
Working to solve the case opens up new lines of enquiry at every turn. Blanchflower questions his abilities when he is faced with an unforseen challenge and a name from the past makes Blanchflower open up to Ferraud about himself.