The story in one page
In a damp, ancient English house, a young wife is found murdered. Police suspect the staff, but a detective named Colwyn focuses on the house's troubled occupants. The victim’s secret affection for a male relative and a coded inscription on a brooch reveal a darker history of unrequited love and hidden obsession. As evidence mounts, the investigation unravels a chain of events rooted in the family's past, ultimately pointing to a culprit whose actions were fueled by mental instability. The story explores the weight of ancestral ghosts and the cold reality of justice before reaching a final, quiet conclusion in the wake of a sudden death.
Who's who
- Colwyn
A sharp detective who sees through the obvious leads.
- Philip Heredith
A reserved man whose hidden madness drives the tragedy.
- Hazel Rath
A dependent household member harboring a secret, fatal affection.
- Merrington
A police superintendent who struggles with public pressure.
- Miss Heredith
The family figure who tries to maintain a sense of order.
What it's really about
- Inheritance
- Ancestral curses manifesting as modern criminal acts.
- Secrecy
- The lethal weight of keeping silent for love.
Why it's memorable
- A bullet-burnt rest-gown revealing the close range of the shot.
- A brooch scratched with a secret vow found on the bedroom floor.
The ending, explained
Spoilers — show the ending
Philip Heredith dies by his own hand after the truth emerges. Colwyn leaves the family to face the aftermath of his discovery.
For your book club
- The detective avoids simplistic motives by observing the suspect's habits.
- Evidence often shifts as the investigators re-examine early, ignored clues.