The sudden disappearance of London art dealer Mr Walpurgis of Shepherds Market, sets his young picture restorer adding up two and two. When he fails to return from a weekend holiday, Thomas Mellsonby recalls some curious happenings of recent weeks and begins to investigate the movements of the mysterious and elusive man.

When Mr Walpurgis finally reappears, the circumstances only make the matter more sinister and macabre, and Thomas soon finds himself involved in a dangerous situation that carries him far beyond the call of duty.

'We could do with many well-written crime stories like Miss Bones with atmosphere, characters and a ghoulish tweak at the end' Daily Express