When Mr and Mrs Peacocke arrive as employees of Dr Wortle's school, the discovery of an irregularity in their marriage tests the character of all involved. But as Dr Wortle says, There are things which a man cannot bear ... now and again a man shall make a stand in his own defence.

The proposals of The Peverell Press's ambitious new managing director, Gerard Etienne, have made him dangerous enemies. When Gerard's body is discovered bizarrely desecrated, there is no shortage of suspects and Dalgliesh and his team are confronted with a puzzle of extraordinary complexity and a murderer who is prepared to strike again.

Hired to protect a beautiful but neurotic actress, Cordelia Gray is soon embroiled in a mysterious case. Clarissa Lisle hopes to make a spectacular comeback. Trapped within the walls of the Gothic Castle, the treacherous past of the island re-emerges, and everyone seems to have a motive for sending Clarissa 'down, down the hell'.

Maisie Dobbs takes on her first investigation in 1920s London

A quiet holiday in Crete turns into an action packed adventure.