When a man is murdered in bizarre circumstances, the villagers are enthralled. Even vicar’s daughter, Elizabeth Dearheart is fascinated, though whether with the details of the murder or the sudden appearance of the handsome Liam Doubleday she does not even want to admit to herself. But even Liam has his secrets. An escaped mental patient; a crotchety titled Lady and her grudging step-daughter; two ghoulish sisters; a charming man and his beautiful sister; a kindly reverend; the new doctor and his wife, and two young boys eager to become sleuths. All are involved in the mystery that threatens to unearth secrets that someone in Midchester might just prefer to keep buried in the past.