We meet John and Anne Darwin, a couple plagued by debt. Facing bankruptcy John decides to fake his own death using his canoe, much to the horror of his wife. They successfully pull it off and John goes into hiding while Anne consoles her sons.

John successfully applies for a passport to create a new identity, while forcing Anne to demand an inquest into his death so they can get the insurance pay out.

The truth emerges when Anne and John are interviewed by the police. The case goes to trial where Anne pleads not guilty on the grounds of marital coercion.

John has had enough of being dead and returns to England to declare he is suffering from amnesia. Journalists hunt down Anne in Panama and their story starts to unravel.