Margot Dalziel, the well-known journalist, was due in London on Friday and expected at her rural cottage on Saturday. By Sunday it had become apparent that she had vanished.

Margot's country neighbours are soon swept into a web of mystery and suspicion. A murder that seems simply a wanton act becomes a focus for people already taut with fear - and the villagers have already made their collective mind up as to who is responsible . . .

'A first-class writer of detective stories' C. P. Snow