Book publishing is always a competitive business. At Peverell Press, it's becoming cutthroat.

Scotland Yard's Adam Dalgliesh is called to the venerable publishing house by one of his longtime literary heroes to look into a stream of hate mail received by some members of Peverell's Board.

When a series of macabre deaths occur, Dalgliesh and his young DI team uncover a snake pit of family rivalry, sexual jealousy and dark secrets. It appears that the answer to murder lies buried deep in the past - but whose?

Dalgliesh faces a long line of suspects - and a murderer prepares to kill again.