It's 1980. When the body of a summer visitor (often called "an emmet" by the Cornish) is found at the foot of a cliff on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly,everyone is shocked. For Detective Superintendent Thorn, on compassionate leave, the result is a complicated and strressful recall, with only the local Police Sergeant Bill Roberts to assist, instead of the usual, CID team.Things go from bad to worse as secrets are unearthed, testing Thorn's mental resilience, and changing his perception of the beautiful Isles of Scilly before the mystery is resolved.