Henry di Palliano is in Rome, hunting for a rare lost letter written by the poet Shelley. He has a buyer ready waiting for it ... but will it be genuine or a clever copy? The Contessa, his autocratic mother starts the journey with him but it is left to Allie Ponsonby, his new auburn-haired colleague and Rosso, his faithful deerhound, to help him solve the mystery and escape the dark threat of Mafia involvement and drug smuggling. Danger certainly... glamour, too, travelling in Henry's vintage electric Alfa Romeo, staying in luxurious hotels and villas... but is there love in the hot Roman air?