During a working visit to Cornwall, journalist Mike Stanhope is asked by ex-girlfriend Ashley to help her friend Giles to fend off an online blackmail attempt. Then Giles disappears. What is Mike supposed to do – find him, or find out why he’s being blackmailed?

He’s immediately sidetracked by a burglary, a batch of missing paintings, a hint of a long-forgotten murder, and a thwarted company takeover. He senses that a news story must be hovering just beyond his grasp, but can’t work out which angle to pursue.

Meanwhile, Mike is surprised to discover dormant feelings for Ashley. Should he rethink his relationship with girlfriend Samantha, or is nostalgia distorting his judgement?

Then he starts to wonder if the various story leads could somehow be connected.

Surely not?