Lionel Pendrake, a New York advertising executive, has unexpectedly been sent an invitation and an airplane ticket to Crete from an old college friend he hasn't seen in decades: John Windsurf. When Pendrake arrives in Crete, he goes to John's apartment, only to discover John Windsurf has disappeared and is perhaps dead. What follows is a winding tale of mystery and intrigue, as Pendrake tries to discover what happened to his friend. Along the way, he is met with baffling literary and cinematic clues that may, or may not, mean anything. Is Pendrake the victim of an elaborate prank? Is he being set up for a crime? Is he going mad? Can he trust anyone?