In a small English village, the death of a local squire, Burdock, sets off a series of events that reveal deep-seated family tensions and community dynamics. Lord Peter Wimsey, a detective, visits the village for the funeral, where he learns about the controversial figure of Burdock, who had a reputation for being a tyrant. The villagers are divided in their feelings about him, with some expressing disdain for his character. As the funeral approaches, the vicar, Mr. Hancock, plans a grand ceremony, which includes a vigil for Burdock's body. However, the night before the funeral, a local man, Plunkett, claims to have seen a ghostly coach, which adds to the village's superstitions. The atmosphere is thick with tension as the villagers prepare to pay their respects, while underlying resentments about Burdock's legacy simmer. Wimsey becomes intrigued by the peculiar circumstances surrounding Burdock's death and the subsequent funeral arrangements. He learns that Burdock's will is missing, and the family dynamics are complicated by the presence of two sons: Martin, who has been estranged from his father, and Haviland, who stands to inherit the estate. The will, it turns out, contains a clause that bequeaths everything to Martin until Burdock is buried, at which point it would revert to Haviland. As the story unfolds, Wimsey suspects foul play regarding the body and the will. He deduces that Martin's return from abroad is linked to the will's disappearance and that there may be a conspiracy involving local figures, including Mortimer, a horse breeder, and Rawlinson, a clerk. The plot thickens when it is revealed that the body may have been stolen to prevent Martin from claiming his inheritance. Wimsey's investigation leads him to uncover a plot involving the theft of Burdock's body, orchestrated by Mortimer and Rawlinson, who intended to keep it above ground until Martin could assert his claim. The tension escalates as the brothers confront each other, revealing their animosities and the lengths they are willing to go to secure their interests. Ultimately, Wimsey's keen observations and deductive reasoning expose the conspiracy, leading to a confrontation that forces the family to reckon with their past and the legacy of their father. The story culminates in a resolution that addresses the moral implications of their actions and the importance of family ties, even amidst betrayal and greed. The narrative weaves together themes of duty, respect, and the complexities of human relationships, all set against the backdrop of a quaint yet troubled village.
By Dorothy L Sayers · First published 1937 · Genre: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Literary Fiction