A woman is murdered in a London suburb and the police investigation into her death is meticulously undertaken. Trying to solve the riddle is Detective Chief Inspector Chudd, newly appointed and still trying to find his feet in. When the truth finally emerges, the gallery of suspects includes the lady next door, a clock-winder, the ex-lodger, a Canadian heiress and two 'bovver boys'. This is as much a story about detection and detectives as it is about the brutal crime itself. 'As always, splendid' Oxford Mail