The soignée young actress Tessa Crichton is in dazzling form when Robin, her husband and Scotland Yard detective, suggests sleuthing in the Sussex village of Burleigh. The area has recently seen a number of art thefts, but the stakes are raised considerably when murder most foul occurs at a local party . . . Tessa of course cannot resist a mystery. Her investigations run parallel with her husband's, and although she is soon on the right track, there will be bizarre and dangerous consequences. Strange and brilliant characters, odd birds of paradise, are among the suspects in this cleverly-plotted whodunit. Here are character, action, humour - and a very high likelihood of being deceived (despite fair clues) about the identity of the murderer. was originally published in 1971. This new edition features an introduction and afterword by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans. 'An ingenious plot and good entertainment value - the type of whodunit that can safely be read late at night without fear of nightmares.' 'Certain to the add to the reputation of Tessa . . . entertainingly and cheerfully written.'