James Hanbury is a reformed character. Or he would like to be. He plans to marry into respectability: his bride Molly is both rich and of good family. But alas, on the very day of their return from honeymoon, Molly is electrocuted.
Accident or murder? The villagers of Charleston Parva believe that it's murder, and accuse her husband of having expeditiously dispatched her as soon as he had his hands on her money. Local feelings grow tense. Hanbury appeals for help to his old friend and adversary, Dougal, who is himself far from convinced of Hanbury's innocence. After all, he knows better than anyone that Hanbury is capable of murder . . .
Read MoreIngenious . . . as worthwhile for the people as the crimes - Time OutTaylormade for those who enjoy clawing at clues - Sunday TimesA top-notch suspense novel...bears comparison with the work of Eric Ambler and Graham Greene. - Publishers WeeklyTense and funny - BooklistA wry, sly romp . . . a deftly-crafted, hilarious, frightening and macabre tale - Washington Book Review