A reissue of the fifth Inspector Banks mystery The body of Caroline Hartley is found one evening before Christmas by her lover, Veronica Shildon. It should have been a cosy scene--log fire, sheepskin rug, Vivaldi on the stereo, Christmas lights and tree.
But Caroline is naked and covered in blood. Detective Constable Susan Gay is the first detective at the scene. She has recently been promoted to C.I.D. and the case soon takes on overwhelming professional and personal importance for her.
DC Gay and Chief Inspector Alan Banks soon find plenty of suspects as they begin to delve into Caroline's past. Inspector Banks's fifth case is an ironic, suspenseful tale of family secrets, hidden passions and desperate violence.