Divorced ex-policeman Jackson Brodie works as a private eye on largely mundane cases until, by chance, he meets sisters Amelia and Julia Land. They ask him to look into the disappearance of their little sister Olivia 30 years earlier now that her favourite toy has surfaced in the belongings of their late father. At the same time, agitated lawyer Theo Wynne, impatient at police lack of progress, has him investigate the recent murder of his teen-aged daughter Laura at his office. With reluctant help from ex-colleague Louise, Jackson learns that Laura's teacher Jessup made a pass at her but had an alibi. Her boyfriend Josh, however, recalls that she had another, jealous admirer though Theo refuses to believe it of his little girl. Jackson is then picked up in a bar by Shirley, who asks his help in finding her missing niece Tanya. All these circumstances remind him of the murder of his sister years ago when he was a young boy.

Jackson finally solves the mystery of Laura's killer whilst Shirley, about to make a wealthy marriage, tells him that she feels guilty because she promised to look after Tanya, the daughter of her sister Michelle who was sent to prison for murdering her husband. Tanya went off the rails on discharge from a care home and Shirley wants to make amends. A meeting with Michelle however paints a different picture and Jackson is convinced that Shirley only wants Tanya found so that she does not ruin the marriage. Fortunately a happy coincidence brings closure for Tanya and Theo whilst the Lands' eldest sister, now a nun, throws light on the fate of Olivia. Jackson, however, is perturbed to learn that his ex-wife is leaving, with their daughter, for a job in New Zealand.