Drugs and alcohol dramatically impair the lives of two promising young lovers in A M Clarke's romantic mystery novel, Dutch Courage. This riveting story conveys a grave social message about drug addiction, alcoholism, parental neglect and dysfunctional relationships. Twenty-three year old Simon is in his final year at the university. He spends most of his time hanging out and not much time on his college work. He takes a day off to complete a forgotten assignment when he gets a phone call from a stranger, a girl named Ingrid. She invites herself to his house and then becomes so intoxicated with drugs and alcohol that she collapses on his kitchen floor. Simon panics and decides to ship Ingrid off in a taxi. When Ingrid disappears, the police blame him for stealing her car and later suspect him of her abduction. Suspicions are lifted when Ingrid shows up a couple of weeks later and embarks on a seemingly doomed relationship with Simon. In order to save their relationship and their future, Simon must find courage from within to battle both of their addictions, as well as Ingrid's rich and controlling father who has already decided whom she should marry.