In the sleepy English village of Sanford Angelorum, Professor Gervase
Fen is taking a break from his books to run for Parliament. At first
glance, the village he's come to canvass appears perfectly peaceful, but
Fen soon discovers that appearances can be deceptive: Someone in the
village has discovered a dark secret and is using it for blackmail.
Anyone who comes close to uncovering the blackmailer's identity is
swiftly dispatched. As the joys of politics wear off, Fen sets his mind
to the mystery but finds himself caught up in a tangled tale of
eccentric psychiatrists, escaped lunatics, beautiful women and lost
heirs.