When thirteen-year-old matthew whately goes missing from bredgar chambers, a prestigious public school in the heart of west sussex, aristocratic inspector thomas lynley receives a call for help from The Lad's housemaster...When thirteen-year-old matthew whately goes missing from bredgar chambers, a prestigious public school in the heart of west sussex, aristocratic inspector thomas lynley receives a call for help from The Lad's housemaster, who also happens to be an old school chum. Thus, the inspector, his partner, detective Sergeant Barbara Havers, and forensic scientist simon allcourt-st. James find themselves once again outside their jurisdiction and deeply involved in the search for a child--and then, tragically, for a child killer.