Fat, unlovely Roberta Teys is found beside her father's headless corpse, wearing her best dress and with an axe in her lap. Her first words are: 'I did it. And I am not sorry,' and she refuses to say more.

Inspector Thomas Lynley and DS Barbara Havers are sent by Scotland Yard to solve this particularly gruesome murder. And as they navigate their way around a dark labyrinth of secret scandals and appalling crimes, they uncover a series of shocking revelations that shatter the façade of the peaceful Yorkshire village.

1988, Anthony Award for Best First Novel at Bouchercon, Winner

1998, Agatha Award, Winner

1989, Edgar Allen Poe Award, Short-listed

1988, Grand Prix de Littérature Policière, Winner