In this, the second Alistair Duncan story, the Bristol solicitor is instructed by local publican Martin Harper to help with his problems involving a Spanish villa plot which he has purchased. Unknown to both solicitor and client, they are taking on a ruthless and unscrupulous trio of international con-men, who have been playing on the stupidity and greed of purchasers like the publican. Traps for the unwary in buying property in Spain are spelt out in stark terms. The story takes Alistair Duncan