"Again it is summer in Barsetshire, which means that it is chilly ... Downstage center is Mrs. Donald Macfadyen (who, you know, was Margot Phelps, daughter of old Admiral and Mrs. Phelps, before she married the wealthy market-gardener). Time passes, even in Barsetshire, and Mrs. Macfadyen is thrice bereaved in a few short months. But a man is waiting, a most delightful man whom she had to disappoint some years ago because just a few minutes earlier...

"When two British intelligence agents are despatched to negotiate the release of a group of western hostages in Somalia, veteran MI6 operator Tom Vane realizes that something about this operation doesn't stack up. Unwilling to see two promising officers sacrificed in what he believes to be a suicide mission, he covertly hires deep cover specialist Marc Portman to protect them"--Dust jacket flap.