A quiet London lawyer finds his orderly life shattered when a fugitive forces his way into his office, triggering a dangerous pursuit for the truth. Andrew Kilmartin, a man of routine and legal precision, makes the impulsive decision to defend Franz Schmidt, a man accused of murder. This choice pits Kilmartin against shadowy, powerful forces determined to suppress a revolutionary invention held by Schmidt’s daughter, Freya. The narrative unfolds as a high-stakes race against time, where Kilmartin must navigate a world of hidden agendas and lethal threats to protect both his client and the secret that could alter the landscape of industry.

This work reflects the classic mid-century thriller style for which Hammond Innes is known, emphasizing a grounded, procedural approach to high-stakes adventure. The narrative relies on the tension between the protagonist's professional background and the chaotic, dangerous world he is forced to inhabit. Readers often note the author's ability to maintain a sense of urgency while keeping the stakes personal and focused on the central mystery. The book serves as a representative example of the era's suspense fiction, prioritizing plot mechanics and the gradual revelation of secrets over complex character interiority. The story effectively utilizes the 'innocent man on the run' trope to drive the momentum forward through various European locales.