Two brothers, having run away from the aunt who plans to adopt the younger one, are sought by a detective hired by their aunt, but they have found shelter with--and protection from--Venice's "Thief Lord."

His name is Failure. Timmy Failure. And his detective agency is on the verge of global domination. Global riches. Global fame. And yet the gods keep throwing him curveballs for starters, academic probation. The coveted Miracle Report is the key to everything, including a good grade. It's dirty business. It's best you know nothing. But one thing is for sure that Timmy Failure will be triumphant again!

Timmy Failure, the world's greatest detective, is in Key West, Florida--but he is definitely not on vacation with his mother and Doorman Dave, who he insists never even got married. No, he is there on a job, but his business partner has abandoned him, fleeing to Cuba for political asylum--all Timmy has is an unpaid intern to help him find buried treasure.