The focus is on the people and the setting of St Rémy de Provence, Southern France in 2006, when an expat Englishman has gone missing. After a false start by the local police, Avignon's answer to Maigret, Commandant Ruppert, is brought in to pick up the investigation. The family back in England are pushing for answers - is this a missing person or a murder case?

With no hard evidence or clues, Ruppert uses some unconventional police methods to uncover the truth. He encounters shady business dealings and interviews suspect local characters. Can Ruppert solve the mystery? What dark secrets are the local characters hiding?