Surrounded by secrets, great and small, the formidable Miss Phryne Fisher returns to vanquish injustice.

Phryne Fisher is back!

When a mysterious invitation arrives for the redoubtable Miss Phryne Fisher from an unknown retired Captain Herbert Spencer, Phryne's curiosity is excited. Spencer runs a retreat in Victoria's rural spa country for the many shell-shocked soldiers of the first world war. It's a cause after Phryne's own heart but what does Spencer want from her?

Phryne and the faithful Dot decide to view their rural sojourn as a short holiday but are quickly thrown into disturbing Highland gatherings, disappearing women, murder and the mystery of the Temperance Hotel. All test Phryne's resourcefulness in her search to save lives.

Disappearances, murder, bombs, booby-traps and strange goings-on keep Miss Phryne Fisher right in the middle of her most exciting adventure to date.