'Micro-terrorism. Yes, that's the best way to describe it. Planting terror in somebody's heart, through a sequence of small-scale upsets in their normal life, and letting their mind start to play tricks. And it was easy, because like all terrorists, the perpetrator had chosen a soft target and also cloaked themselves in a veil of anonymity.' Richard Teasdale has two great passions in life: his beautiful but shy wife, Sue, and the sport of fencing. In most respects he is a perfectly ordinary, hardworking man. So why should anybody be wanting to upset the equilibrium of his life? Is it linked to somebody from his past, to his activities on the fencing tournament circuit, or is it something closer to home? And just who is the malevolent clown figure who appears to be stalking him?