 Inspector Lynley ( Nathaniel Parker  (qv)) and Sergeant Havers ( Sharon Small  (qv)) are sent to a remote Scottish mansion house, the home of Sir Stuart Stinhurst ( Ronald Pickup  (qv)), to investigate the violent death of a famous playwright whilst she was helping to rehearse a production of her new play. Initial investigation reveals that practically anybody could have committed the crime but everybody appears to have a convincing alibi and nobody has a motive. As the investigation continues an apparent nearby suicide begins to have a bearing on the case and Lynley believes that is wasn t suicide. The arrival of a new guest, Helen Clyde ( Lesley Vickerage  (qv)), a former girlfriend of Lynley s who is now a lover of one of the main suspects starts to cloud his judgement and raise Havers  suspicions. As the real motives begin to appear and the dark pasts of some of the guests are revealed will Lynley catch the double murderer?