Jack is a police detective and his girlfriend Maggie is a doctor. They have moved to London for her residency. Jack's career has been lackluster because of his history of apathy and complacency. He becomes involved in an investigation involving a burned body found after a fire occurs at an isolated cottage. This crime is linked to a train robbery which occurred 25 years ago. He is motivated to delve into the past. At the same time, his adoptive father is terminally ill and gives him permission to find his birth father, who, Jack discovers, is involved in the criminal underworld. Thus, there are two interesting and interlinked mysteries making this book a compelling read. The characters are well developed and complex, and face moral dilemmas. This is not a book for those who like everything to be black and white. I really enjoyed this book and will seek out others by Lynda La Plante.