Chief Inspector Jollie has, once again, submitted his early retirement application to the Assistant Chief Constable: once again it is placed in the pending tray, and will not see the light of day. It is a game that has become a humorous and resolute engagement of wills. A young woman has been abducted and Jollie has to secure her release. What follows however, transpires to be one of the most bizarre and heinous cases he has ever investigated. As his enquiry begins in earnest, a brutish and savage murder is committed: then his prime suspect is found dead. At every avenue of enquiry a web of lies and deceit confronts him. Despite his vast experience and flamboyant imagination, this case seems to be beyond his reach...unsolvable; but solve it he must, as time is running out both for him and the kidnap victim...