On board a steamer, cruising under the scorching Egyptian sun, honeymooners Simon Mostyn and his wealthy socialite wife Kay find themselves being pursued by an old flame of the newly wedded groom.

Then a tragedy strikes, a body is discovered and all fingers point to Simon’s ex fiancée.

But everything is not what it seems. Among a cast of characters that includes a shady socialist a fearsome battleaxe and a Dr with dubious credentials holidaying cleric Canon Pennefather is drawn into a web of intrigue and deceit as he finds himself on the trail of a ruthless murderer.