Whenever Felix, Virginia Freer's estranged husband, reappears in her life, murder does too. Even when temporarily incapacitated by an accident, Felix brings mystery with him.

This time it concerns Holly, orphaned daughter of a famous actress, who had come from Rome to stay with Virginia's friends, the Brightwells. Holly has disappeared, believed kidnapped, and distraught Ann Brightwell is prepared to sell her valuables to meet the ransom demand. But Felix senses something odd about the kidnapping and is convinced the ransom shouldn't be paid . . .