Veteran author Rachel Wyatt is at her very best as she exposes the fears, desires and prejudices of the human condition, with subtle sensitivity and ruthless steel.

Candace Alison Wilson is missing.
As the hours since her disappearance build into days, a small town's certainty that a simple domestic spat has led her to walk out gives way to suspicion. Everyone knows everyone else's motive; everyone knows who has reason to be guilty.

After all, isn't Candace's husband Jack the architect of a wildly unpopular multi-million dollar housing development? Didn't her (younger, prettier) sister lead the opposing protests? Why is her father busier pursuing a new relationship than looking for his daughter? Doesn't it seem strange that of everyone, her brother-in-law is the one most hell-bent on finding her? And why won't Jack sit down to a simple supper with the family lawyer?

Nothing escapes the notice of "Marguerite" the anonymous chat-room regular who describes the faults and foibles of the townspeople with gleeful and unflinching keystrokes. While the mixed-up stories of blame and distrust threaten to destroy a family and weaken the town itself, "Marguerite" has all the answers. If only someone were listening...