This work investigates the underlying social and psychological pressures that culminated in the destruction of a Devon farming family. Author John Cornwell utilizes his background in investigative journalism to reconstruct the history of the family, examining how isolation, economic strain, and internal dynamics contributed to a series of violent events. The text argues that the tragedy was not an isolated incident but the result of long-standing systemic and personal failures within a closed rural environment.

Critics frequently note the meticulous research and the somber, objective tone maintained throughout the narrative. Experts highlight this as a significant study of the intersection between rural isolation and domestic violence.