Here are twelve stories, with locations as far apart as Cairo, Vienna, Armenia, South Africa and Great Britain. They have different time scales, spanning the years from 1900 to the present day, through two world wars and with varying themes of love and hate, jealousy and revenge. A death occurs in Mafeking during its famous siege. The dark perils of impending retirement loom for an elderly couple. A tranquil Scottish loch is the scene of a tragedy, and a garden created in the arid climate of Egypt incites hatred. A country house hides its secrets. A valuable Expressionist painting disappears, and Vienna is seen through an unusual perspective. Old scores are settled and personal animosities and wrongs are well remembered. One theme unites them all - murder.