A sudden, unexplained death occurring during a period of unseasonable weather forces a local investigation into the hidden tensions of a quiet community. The protagonist must navigate a web of local secrets and interpersonal conflicts to identify the perpetrator before further harm occurs. The narrative operates within a constrained geographical setting, emphasizing the isolation of the characters as the investigation progresses. The story utilizes a traditional third-person perspective to track the methodical gathering of clues and the gradual unraveling of alibis. Logical deduction serves as the primary tool for the investigator, who faces resistance from those wishing to keep the past buried.

Readers often note the author's ability to maintain a steady, methodical pace throughout the investigation. Discussion frequently centers on the atmospheric quality of the writing, which effectively uses the environment to mirror the internal states of the characters. Critics highlight the balance between the procedural elements of the crime and the exploration of the community's underlying social fractures. The narrative is generally regarded as a classic example of mid-century British crime fiction that prioritizes logical resolution over high-octane action sequences.