Adrift in the surreal world of perestroika Moscow, Eva Raven is haunted by confused memories of her father. When her boyfriend Rob discovers that her godmother, Maya, is also in Moscow, Eva is keen to meet her to find some answers. But when Eva meets Maya, she also encounters Jack Flame, an ageing American living on borrowed time; a doctor, an astronomer – and possibly a spy.
Immediately fascinated, Eva is convinced that Jack understands her and can help her. But what begins as a friendship of the mind soon turns into a relationship of frightening intensity. Torn between the loyalty she feels for Rob and her obsession with Jack Flame, Eva begins to uncover disturbing information about her past. But whose version of events should she trust? And does she really want to know the truth? As Moscow slides towards political and economic collapse, memories of the past rise to the surface, threatening Eva's sanity, and finally her life.