Paul Temple is in the middle of a lecture tour in America when he receives an urgent summons from the Home Secretary, requesting his immediate return to England. A serial killer calling himself 'The Marquis' has been murdering celebrities, and Scotland Yard is baffled.

Back in London, Paul discovers that someone else has been desperately trying to contact him: a young private detective named Rita Cartwright. On meeting her, he discovers that she has been running her own investigation into the murders, and believes they are linked to a gang of cocaine traffickers. The next day, Rita is found dead, with a square of white card pinned to her dress signed 'The Marquis'...

As Paul struggles to fit a face to that notorious name, he finds himself up against a malevolent criminal mastermind who always seems to be one step ahead. Can the suave sleuth outfox the elusive killer – or will The Marquis' next victim be Paul Temple himself?

Toby Stephens reads this complete, full-length Paul Temple novel, by Francis Durbridge.