The professional murder of a well-dressed British businessman is a rare challenge for the police of the beautiful Spanish town of Ronda. When the body is reported by a waiter on his way to work at the luxurious Parador the police assume it is one of the regular suicides who each month throw themselves down the steep gorge. Matters become more complex when two letters are found in the pockets. Neither is in Spanish or even English. One is in German and is irritable and hostile. The other is in modern Greek and is a passionate love letter, apparently to the dead man. The local Chief of police, General Esposito, young, efficient, dedicated is at a loss as to what to do with these letters until he encounters Professor Quadling, attending an international conference in Ronda . Surprisingly, the Professor is able to translate both languages. More surprisingly, he believes he had dinner with the victim just two nights earlier and knows something of the story behind the passionate Greek letter. Soon the case throws up connections in Spain, Germany, Britain and the island of Crete. Young General Esposito has to admit he needs help and seeks it from the legendary Chief Inspector Miguel Rojas, the man with no passions as he is known. Yet, austere and cool though he is, his perceptiveness of human passion is uncanny. Rojas, dapper, ascetic, courteous but unnerving draws truth from the most unwilling suspect but he also has a range of useful contacts throughout Europe. Soon, a case of false trails, tragic misunderstanding and the most profound of passions unfolds. Along with it comes a sinister power that should only have belonged in mediaeval Germany. Its reemergence needs very deft and fearless detection.