A triple murder in the sleepy Devon village of Ogbury has the local police baffled. The Murder Squad at Scotland Yard are called in to assist in the shape of Superintendent Robert Dale and his assistant, Detective Sergeant David Kingston.
Matters become complicated by a kidnapping, a suicide and the slaughter of members at a local bridge club. Three policemen are also killed.
Additionally, a local villain is found murdered in his Exeter home and a company director is found bludgeoned to death in his mother's residence.
Appearances can be deceptive, as can the motives involved.
The police are being duped by false trails being laid by person or persons unknown.
Is there a serial killer on the loose trying to make the police look like fools?
It looks like a murderous hoax all the way ; but can Dale and Kingston solve the case?
