the past is an inescapable noose around a young man's neck, in this blackly comic, satirical novel from renowned crime writer bill james britain, 1956. a young actress seemingly tries to commit suicide over a tangled love affair, but is taken to hospital and her life saved. the story is just the sort of thing that journalist ian charteris likes to cover: a poignant mix of near tragedy, possible thwarted romance, and glamour, needing sensitive but - of course - dramatic treatment. it should be a routine assignment, a welcome assignment. it would be, if it wasn't for the identity of the young woman. she may - just may - be ian's sister. the unwelcome reminder of the past drags ian back into memories of places and events he'd rather forget. as far as ian is concerned, the past is a foreign country. and not just foreign. fundamentally and cantankerously hostile. vengeful, war-torn, dangerous. it is impossible to escape the past; the noose is already around ian's neck, and every step he takes it tightens . . . and this is not the only noose.