Someone is killing the dear old retirees of the Eucalypts Retirement Village on the Queensland Gold Coast, in Australia, and the murders begin just after Jake Barlow, sacked Police reporter, famous Australian sportsman and drunk, arrives in the village. Jake has not taken the death of his wife at all well and seeks oblivion in the bottle but, after some bad scenes with his family, agrees to settle in the village, although he's only 52. He needs to make amends to his family and tries to be a sober and amenable villager. But it becomes clear that he's being framed for the murders, despite the help he gets from Gus Muller, the police Inspector in charge of investigations. Jake meets and falls in love with Anne Murdoch, a beauteous neighbor, and their rapid romance ends in marriage with the full approval of their families. But now Anne is being included in the frame and Gus is of little help. Jake begins his own investigation and begins to suspect that the horrific murders are not only intended to frame him and Anne, but also to cover up a much bigger murder plan in the village. He knows he's getting near to uncovering that when an attempt is made on his life. Although badly injured, Jake is not killed and has plenty of time to think, while recovering in hospital. When he's released he sets out his theory on his computer and encrypts it, ready to send to the Police Commissioner, an old friend from his Police reporter days, who's the only one Jake trusts. Unfortunately the Commissioner's away on leave but Jake and Anne wait, relaxed, satisfied with their work. And then they are kidnapped and taken to an isolated office building to be executed by two of the murder group. But Jake is certain that he and Anne are not destined to die this day.....