William Caldicott's marriage is about to break up when he receives a letter informing him that his much younger brother James has walked away from his life in France in an attempt to find "oblivion" and wants William to take over his house. It's an unbelievable premise considering the pair have never communicated. William, conveniently in a position where he can abandon his wife and two children, sets off to France to try to find out where James has gone. He discovers a a sister-in-law and handicapped nephew as well as a startling story of S&M activity. Bogarde's words flow smoothly and the opening was good before getting bogged down in non-events. Some authors can get away with unlikeable characters, Bogarde did not. This was disappointing. ( )