When the body of a theology student is found on a desolate stretch of the East Anglian coast, his wealthy father refuses to believe it is an accidental death. Adam Dalgliesh, James’ sharp and taciturn detective, agrees to pay a visit to the young man’s theological college, St Anselm’s, and look into the matter. He secretly relishes the opportunity for a nostalgic return to the place where he once spent a summer as a boy. But he no sooner begins his investigation than he finds himself embroiled in the intrigue, conflict and dangerous secrets of the college community torn by and contending with still more murders.