First published in 1980, this is a tale of Charlie Fairweather, song-writer and occasional performer, for whom holidays meant quick affairs, quickly forgotten. But the woman he met in Sicily was different.

Kate Sullivan was beautiful, sophisticated and deliciously sensuous. Why was she so alone? Why was she so afraid of his friendship? Why did she disappear?

Obsessed by his search for Kate, Charlie finds himself drawn into an unknown and dangerous world where anything can be bought and death is the easiest answer.