There is bloodshed and hysteria when an unknown man of Mediterranean appearance is murdered on Brighton beach. His body is discovered under a towel by Winnie, who herself is later found battered and left for dead.

Experienced DCI Harry Webb and new young detective Andrew Brown are paired by DCS John Street to solve the web of crimes which ensue, made more complex by all possible suspects seemingly linked in one way or another. Two illusive men dressed in black and driving a black Ford are established as the prime suspects.

As well as looking for murderers, the detectives soon realise they have stumbled on a diamond smuggling racket. Bags of diamonds are found behind the radio systems of MGB cars rented out by the Classic Cars garage owned by Max Grey. Initially Max is most unhelpful and a prime suspect until an attempt is also made on his life.

Clues found in Mr Pantazis's (the murdered man's) hotel room and clients wanting to rent MGBs specifically from Max Grey lead the two detectives to follow up investigations in Cyprus where Chief Galanis of the Cypriot police is their contact. Much to Harry and Andrew's amusement he also has a remarkable penchant for literary quotes, especially by Lewis Carroll - a theme picked up throughout the book.

On the plane over to Cyprus Harry revealed to Andrew the work he did in the past with Special Branch could now well make him a target for revenge attacks by relatives of those he convicted. Hence a major part of Andrew's job would be to watch his back.

... This theory goes horribly wrong however when Andrew is mistaken for Harry on the very first evening and is violently abducted from his hotel room by the two men in black. He is held prisoner at an isolated old farm house near the Greek/Turkish border deep in the Troodos mountains.

He eventually managed a daring escape and fled to safety to the heavily guarded RAF Mount Olympus Radar Station.

From there Harry, Andrew and Chief Galanis are reunited. They find a lady from hotel cctv footage, who is Mr Pantazis's partner, Angie Sakalis. She has a beautiful young daughter Chloe who Andrew immediately took to ...

Information from them linked the two men in black to the non-convicted murder of Mrs Sakalis's husband. They were probably working for an ex partner in their diamond emporium, Mr Nico Castellanos, who used the pseudonym Bert Barber in England.

Cypriot police eventually discover the mountain hideout of the two wanted men. Harry and Andrew are fitted out with bullet proof vests and guns and a gun fight ensues at the deserted farmhouse. As a result two men are shot dead, two are badly injured and there follows a race against time to the nearest hospital.

There is speculation on who is responsible for this - Harry has his thoughts but Andrew thinks his theory is right ... after intensive investigations and with the aid of an airline bookings office the truth unravels - but not before the astonishing revelations and subsequent suicide of ...