"A deft mixture of history-mystery and contemporary thriller."Booklist

"Few crime writers are as enchantingly giftedas Simon Brett."Sunday Times (London)

"Another marvelous mix of social satire and traditional cozy."Booklist

The life of Esmond Chadleigh, noted poet and children's author, is celebrated in the halls of Bracketts
House. Nevertheless, most of Chadleigh's work remains out of print, which leaves Bracketts House out
of funds. Carole Seddon, an American literature professor with a big interest in Chadleigh, can keep
Bracketts running in exchange for assistance on her biography of Chadleigh. But the mistrustful trustees
are afraid the biographer is interested only in rooting out the skeletons in Chadleigh's closetespecially
after uncovering one in his garden. Now, Carole must risk tarnishing the sterling reputation of a
beloved author to learn whether his sword was mightier than his pen.

Simon Brett worked as a producer with BBC radio before turning to writing full-time. A former president of Britain's Crime Writers Association, he is the creator of the Mrs. Pargeter mysteries and the Charles Paris series as well as the Fethering mysteries. He lives in the South of England with his family.

Geoffrey Howard is a retired British journalist who strives to add warmth and clarity to every audiobook. Says Howard, "I try to bring the listener as close as possible to the experience I'm having while reading it for the first time."