When her husband Jim mysteriously disappears, Leeds schoolteacher Judy Threadgold, with the aid of woodwork teacher Neville Keaton, investigate.

Judy and Neville encounter a vicarage without a vicar, a sinister motorcar, and a strange organisation known as Disappearances Anonymous. Is it really connected with D.H. Lawrence lectures? And was Neville's mother right when she said: 'Bruises and blood... that's nature's way of curing things...'

Judy and Neville continue their search in downtown Filey, Bridlington's lower west side, and the Sleepy Lagoon Holiday Village. They solve the riddle of the yellow Beetle... enjoy some fish and chips... and survive intimidation.

DS Tomlin pursues his quest for flashers, safe blowers and vagabonds, while Judy has a pile of essays to mark and Neville wonders if there really is a Mr X.