ThebluebirdofhappinesshasstoppedwarblingandJack'slifehashitanewlow.Hisbodybrokenfromtoomanybeatings,Lindahaslefthim,theracingworldisinturmoil,hislocal-thePrinceofPrussia-mayneverbethesameagain,andJackhasreturnedtothelawintheformofmundaneconveyancing.Thatis,untilhelearnsofforeignstudentsatadisreputableprivatecollegedyinginbizarrecircumstances.AfterEddie,aChinesecourierwhowassupposedtodeliverapackageforJackthreeyearsago,showsupdead,Jackcan'thelpbutgetinvolved.FollowingthetrailofEddie'slastmovements,JackdiscoversEddie'sfriend,anIndianstudentnamedLakshmi,committedsuicideshortlybeforeEddiedisappeared.Theystudiedtogetherataprivatecollegewherethefacilitiesandlevelofeducationleavemuchtobedesired.Diggingdeeper,JackencountersthepsychiatristLakshmisawbeforehertragicdeath,DrRoryFinch.Astheybothworktodiscoverthetruthbehindthetwodeaths,arelationshipbrewsbetweenJackandRory.Jack'sinvestigationunfoldsanintricatewebofliesleadingallthewaytoIndiaandbackagain,whereheenlistsLinda'shelp,stillworkingoverseasasajournalistandlivingwithOrton.ButeverystepJacktakestowardsthetruththreatenshisworldandhisfriends-fromHarryandCamintheracinggame,tocabinetmakerCharlieTaub'sgranddaughter,Gus,tothePrinceofPrussiarunbyStanandhisregularclientele,theFitzroyYouthClub.Jackmustkeephiswitsabouthim,orthisquestforthetruthmaybehislast.