Max Tudor may be a vicar now with all the attendant problems of living in a small village but his past as an MI5 agent keeps cropping up.

Max has traveled to London to speak at a symposium. London and dinner with his old boss brings back some bad memories. He isn't very pleased to spend the final leg of his journey home to Nether Monkslip with Lady Baynard. An elderly female who exhibits all of the worst bigotry of the upper crust, Max does his best to avoid a long discussion with her.

Max's good looks have everyone in the village trying to engage his interest. His only interest is in Awena, a witch who he is sure the Bishop won't approve of.

When Max is called by local police with the news that Lord Footrustle was killed and his sister, Lady Baynard was found dead, he finds it hard to refuse his help.

The family party being held at Chedrow Castle is even more dysfunctional than one might expect. The various family members are all hoping for more money from the deceased. Max must discover how the two deaths link together and who amongst all of the relatives has the most motive for murder. There are plenty of them about.

A traditional English mystery involving a small village, a dysfunctional family and an attractive vicar can't help but appeal to mystery lovers everywhere. Max Tudor is an intelligent man who turned his back on everything he knew when his partner was killed. The changes and challenges he faces as he moves forward make for interesting reading. The identity of the killer was well hidden until the end.