THE SETTING
The body of a bookseller is discovered, lying in a pool of blood in his Bristol bookshop.
Police have one question: how did the man meet such a violent, murderous end in this peaceful place?

THE CONFLICT
DS Cross’s ability to dismiss red herrings is challenged by a worrying development in his personal life.
Hopelessly distracted, he needs to rely on those around him in a way he has never been comfortable doing before.

THE MURDER PLOT
It may be a quiet profession, but it’s full of passionate, ambitious characters who know the value of a rare book.
Their extensive reading means they also know how to get away with murder.
But is that enough to fool the tenacious DS George Cross?