It was apparent that elderly Edmund Craven had been killed by one of those closest to him in his last months. The conduct of the investigation represents a new challenge for Superintendent Lambert and his team: never before has he had to investigate a murder perpetrated over a year earlier. Gradually he unearths a network of malice and deceit. Craven's son and daughter, his housekeeper and the American who was his friend all had reason to wish Craven dead. There is danger as well as intrigue in the quiet English village and as the investigation proceeds the pace increases relentlessly.