Two days before a special auction at a large house in Borrow dale, ChristopherHenderson meets up with Jennifer Reade, the only known heir to the entireestate, and the expected recipient of the proceeds of the auction. Shediscovers a dead man in the cellar but threatens and cajoles Christopher intoremaining silent about it until after the auction.The auction begins, but after a few hours is halted by the police. JenniferReade has been murdered ... Christopher's wife, and amateur sleuth Simmy,applies herself to the mystery of who the dead man was, and why he andJennifer were killed.