Archaeologist Martin Day has given no thought to Ophelia Blue since the end of their affair twenty years ago. He now owns a house on the beautiful island of Naxos, relishing the cuisine and wine of the Cyclades and working just enough to fund his lifestyle. Then a call arrives from Ophelia. She will be arriving very soon to consult him about something important which she will explain in detail when she sees him. Day is excited, but his pleasure is short-lived.
Ophelia disappears after their first evening together, before revealing the reason for her visit. The police are curiously reluctant to intervene. Now that Inspector Cristopoulos has retired, Day must deal with his replacement, Kyriakos Tsountas. In Tsountas's opinion, Ophelia is a grown woman who has left of her own free will. If Day is to find her he must do so alone. He will need all his ingenuity and imagination, and quite possibly his courage.
At that moment the light disappeared. The torch had given out and they were left in pitch darkness. With appalling certainty Day realised he had no idea how to find the exit to the sea.
