When Agnes Turner is witness to a rape, she goes for the assailant with a knife - with fatal consequences. The victim repays Agnes by blackmailing her, and when Agnes refuses her demands she kidnaps her beloved Jack Russell terrier. Agnes faces the prospect of committing yet another crime to secure the safe return of her dog.

But then another death occurs . . .

In this, the 18th in the Agnes Turner mysteries, Anthea Cohen remains the mistress of the icy touch.