Investigating the murder of wealthy widow Clara Mortimer, estranged from her family, and living alone in an upmarket sheltered apartment, British Detective Joseph Rafferty fears his own family estrangement. Because when Abra, his girlfriend, said she might be pregnant, his reaction wasn't exactly New Man.

Between the grudges of Clara's estranged family and those of her adoptive family - the other apartment residents - Rafferty has suspects and questions in plenty. For instance, why had the sensible Clara Mortimer chosen to open her door to a burglar? And when he considers the awful lies her family tells, how can he not conclude they have something to hide?

As Rafferty tries to get back into Abra's good books, another tragedy ensues. He must fight his way past all the lies to find the sad truth: a very modern murder.