A student protest at the University of Calleshire turns lethal when a body is discovered in the college quadrangle, forcing Detective Inspector C.D. Sloan to navigate the insular world of academia. Sloan must decipher cryptic clues, including the final words of the victim and the observations of a madrigal singer, to identify a killer hiding among the dons and students. The narrative follows a classic procedural framework, emphasizing the contrast between the rigid, traditional structure of the university and the chaotic nature of the crime. As the investigation deepens, Sloan faces the challenge of extracting truth from a community defined by intellectual posturing and hidden agendas.

This work is characterized by the dry wit and intellectual rigor typical of the British mystery tradition. The narrative relies on a methodical, character-focused approach that prioritizes the puzzle of the crime over high-octane action. Readers often note the author's ability to satirize the insular nature of academic life while maintaining a tight, logical plot. The presence of Inspector C.D. Sloan provides a grounded, observant anchor for the reader as the mystery unfolds within the groves of academe.