Michelle Fox, emigrates to New Zealand, while Martin Temple, the man from whom she purloined diamonds, is standing trial for murder in the USA. Five years later she is Michelle Elmore, the owner of an exclusive nursing home, and married to Alan Elmore, the director of the National Art Gallery. She accompanys her husband and his team to Italy to purchase paintings and statues from the Renaissance period. An American freelance art historian residing in Venice, is hired to assist in the venture. She has a reputation in the world of fine art of possessing an uncanny ability to detect liars and cheats. An ability the police sometimes call upon. Gavin Benton, finds himself between entanglements. Robin Harvey, meets Carlo Paci in a nightclub. Before changing his name by deed pole, Robin was Lewis Temple, the estranged son of Martin Temple. Carlo Paci is murdered. Overshadowing it all is the malign influence of Martin Temple.