Sumbeach on the Gulf of Thailand is home to fishermen, tradesmen, labourers, businessmen, policemen, service providers, expats and tourists all going about their lives in measured tranquillity under the heat of the oriental sun - its bars, restaurants and golf courses overlooked by the towering L'Hotel Majestique. Sumbar, a short walk along the beach, offers upstairs rooms with a sea view, a swimming pool, and cold beers in the noon day sun. For Australian tourist Jack Featherstone, Sumbeach is a locale to relax in, on stop-over to Paris. For wealthy Texan businessman Donald Randalson Jnr, Sumbeach offers a week of golf. For Australian librarians Beatrice Young and Eugene Parry, Sumbeach is a place for unexpected love and the exposure of dark secrets. For English police-woman Amelia Sanderson, Sumbeach is where she'll search among the expats for a murderer. Overseeing all is Police Captain Choniburshakanari. He knows everything about the activities in his sleepy town, particularly among the expats. Or does he? Sumbeach is an idyllic paradise, though that may be a facade, particularly when the disparate guests celebrate a fortieth birthday at Sumbar on Sumbeach.