In a sea-cave on Lovatt Island just off the west coast of Scotland a skeleton is found shackled to the rocks. Although the apparent victim of a crime of unparalleled brutality the skeleton seems to belong firmly in the past. Detective Inspector Marjory Fleming called in to investigate anticipates a straightforward case unhampered by the pressures of time. But when a modern watch is discovered on the skeletons wrist Fleming realises the crime may be far closer to home than she initially assumed. Meanwhile in the nearby village of Innellan mysterious events begin to occur. Matt Lovatt eponymous owner of the island is at the centre of a series of escalating crimes
- could someone be targeting him? The villagers members of a small & introverted community are little help
- many seem damaged by their own enigmatic pasts & all are reluctant to speak out. Fleming sensing a pattern she cannot clearly make out becomes increasingly desperate to prevent more violence. Are the skeleton & the current spate of crimes connected? If so what evil act could have motivated such a deadly merciless design?