Soon after arriving in Edinburgh for her murdered uncle's funeral, Elaine MacDougall becomes involved in trying to solve the case. Things become dangerous when Elaine and her solicitor, James Barry, find clues that connect her uncle Ian MacDougall, a solicitor, to the theft of the famous Darnley Jewel from Holyrood Palace. Could Uncle Ian be a thief? When Elaine and James set out to figure out what Ian had that someone wanted badly enough to commit murder, they discover that he had secrets that he wanted them to find. Determined to find out who stole the jewel and keep Uncle Ian from being implicated, they are convinced that if they find the stolen jewel it will lead them to the murderer. Little do they know that someone else who has bungled by allowing it to fall into Ian's hands has also joined the race to find it. Elaine is being followed; Uncle Ian's house is broken into; and Chief Inspector Bridewell of the CID seems to suspect Elaine had something to do with the murder. A frightening confrontation in the fog on top of Arthur's Seat spurs James and Elaine to leave no stone unturned in their quest. Are the thief and the murderer the same person? Could the murderer be the mild mannered pastor of St Cuthbert's Church, who has secrets of his own? Or even one of the friendly church members? Or perhaps one of Uncle Ian's colleagues at his firm of solicitors? The champion horsewoman Uncle Ian rode with on Sundays? The couple who found his body? Can Elaine really trust James or is she blinded by his good looks and charm? And what can the little old lady who was Ian's former nanny have to do with such dirty business? Suspects abound as the action increases. The end comes with a surprising twist.