Within an unconventional artists' neighbourhood in London, Detective Chief Inspector David Brock and Detective Sergeant Kathy Kolla are embroiled in their most compelling case yet - three young children have been abducted in as many weeks.

The most recent of these, six-year-old Tracey Rudd, is the daughter of the infamous contemporary artist Gabriel Rudd. Unbelievably, he begins almost immediately to exploit Tracey's abduction as inspiration for a major and controversial new artwork, in the full glare of media attention.

As Tracey's grandparents step in to blame Gabriel for Tracey's disappearance, Brock and Kolla conduct an intensive hunt for the missing children and their kidnappers, who appear to be connected to an eccentric and suspicious community of artists, dealers and collectors.

Kathy tries to decipher the motives of this world where art and reputation might be more highly prized than life while Brock's attention is diverted not only by a personal crisis but also by finding himself in the unwelcome spotlight of a police inquiry.