Dave Mallin is eagerly awaiting his first case as a Private Detective when two clients knock on his door. One is a crook, Finn Carter, known for getting his way through violent means. The other, a young wannabe writer, is seemingly out of place and out of his depth. But they both want Mallin's help on the same case: the mystery of Neville Gaines, a man who had been hanged 12 years before for shooting and killing a farmer called Andy Paterson. With no apparent connection to each other, or to the case, Mallin is baffled by their interest, especially when the murderer was so obviously guilty. What was to be gained by going over the case again? Due to be married in a couple of days, and a less than enthusiatic fiance, Mallin decides it would be better to turn down the case. But when events take a violent turn, Mallin is keen to find out why. And when another murder intrudes, it looks as though his impatient fiancee may have to wait...