Billy Maples, former patron of London's finest art galleries and current tenant of Lamb House in Rye - the late Henry James's residence - is found murdered in an upmarket hotel in London. Richard Jury, Scotland Yard's finest, finds himself faced with yet another perplexing investigation.

As Jury delves deeper into the fragments of the life Maples left behind, he finds himself entangled in a web of conflicting stories and false leads. Having enlisted the help of his faithful friend Melrose Plant, Jury must contend with both the case's lead detective, Lu Aguilar, and the surprise appearance of Maples's mysterious young nephew in order to crack the case.