Detective Mitchell found the strict regulations imposed on him detrimental to solving some of the cases. To compensate, he would step outside the square. His amicable, intelligent wife, Sara, spurred him on. Situated in Timaru, New Zealand, he found his work just as diverse and stimulating as in the bigger cities. Whether it be solving the mystery of the Stirling Place files, assisting the deaf lady, whose dog led Detective Mitchell to the offenders, or the lady with the false eyelashes, who flung herself into Detective Mitchell’s arms while she covered for her lover. It almost cost him his next promotion. In spite of the set backs, Mitchell steadily rose through the ranks and just when he thought he had reached the pinnacle of his career something materialized. It not only threatened his ability to do his job, but he found lives were endangered if he made the wrong move. The situation became entwined with Sara, whose past had come back to haunt her and Shelly, Chief Inspector Donahue’s Secretary. So many questions to be answered. Where was Diane, the girl that didn’t exist? What was the grandmother’s secret? What was it that someone was prepared to kill for?