Jack Higgins has spent his life hiding - no friends, no lovers, nothing - that isn't even his real name. He does his work, reads books, drinks whiskey, and only ever sleeps with prostitutes.
He's a thief, by the way, the best in the business, until a momentary lapse of judgement leads to his capture.
To avoid prison, Jack takes on a job that will expose the dark secret at the heart of one of America's oldest families, and introduce him to a woman who makes him realise that playing it safe is more dangerous than risking it all!