When a remote farm is visited by a killer, Chief Superintendent Littlejohn must uncover the secrets of a tight-lipped clan in this British mystery.

When police investigate a fire at Harry Quill's desolate farm, they find the owner dead and his invalid wife unconscious. Mrs. Quill had apparently started the fire as a call for help. Already investigating a criminal gang raiding isolated farms, Littlejohn and Inspector Cromwell are on the case. But the gang was just arrested in Northern Scotland. Surely, they cannot be involved?

The Quill family is old and widespread, a closed shop to all except its own, who keep its many secrets among themselves. They are headed by Aunt Clara, a formidable matron who rules by fear. To get to the truth of who killed Harry, Littlejohn must engage in a battle of wits with Claraand her crafty coven of lawyers.