In all your life, only a few moments matter. I was lucky. I got to see one of mine face to face, and recognise it for what it was.

The course of Frank Mackey's life is set by one defining moment when he was nineteen. The moment his girlfriend, Rosie Daly, failed to turn up for their rendezvous in Faithful Place, failed to run away with him to London as they had planned.

Frank never heard from, or of, her again.

Twenty years on, Frank is still in Dublin, working as an undercover cop. He's cut all ties with his dysfunctional family. Until his sister calls to say Rosie's suitcase has been found...