When Billy Hunt, an acquaintance from college days, approaches Quirke about his wife's apparent suicide, Quirke recognises trouble but, trouble is something he cannot resist. He is drawn into a world of drug addiction, sexual obsession, blackmail and murder, a world in which even the redoubtable Ins...

When Billy Hunt, an acquaintance from college days, approaches Quirke about his wife's apparent suicide, Quirke recognises trouble but, trouble is something he cannot resist. He is drawn into a world of drug addiction, sexual obsession, blackmail and murder, a world in which even the redoubtable Inspector Hackett can offer him few directions.