These are hard times for Australian private-eye Paul Crook. His father is ailing, his detective agency is rapidly going downhill, and his girlfriend is being treated for depression in a clinic two thousand miles away. So when a friend engages him to track down a missing girl, he welcomes the job as a diversion for his troubles. But the tactic misfires, and he winds up with more problems than ever before. The investigation holds a lot of nasty surprises, and brings him into contact with some very unpleasant people. Before long, his life is seriously under threat. With an uncomfortable front-row seat at the in-folding drama, young Paul Crook learns another valuable lesson: bitter vengeance uses patience and a long hook.