Mark Jacques, a freelance journalist who also works as a counter-terrorism officer for MI6, is investigating the activities of a remarkably beautiful, extremely intelligent, and immensely rich Lebanese businesswoman - the mysterious Maha Kermani. His quest for the truth takes him to the Iranian city of Zahedan. But the truth is elusive, and nothing is at it appears in this journey of discovery where love and death conspire to confuse - and even destroy - Mark. Is Maha a mere pawn caught up in a deadly game of chess, or is she implicated in the running of her husband's suspected Islamist terrorist organisation?