Andy Dalziel witnessed a murder but it was through a glass darkly and he was being sick at the time. Now he finds the case shrouded in uncertainty and a string of contradictory statements. And who is his anonymous letter-writer threatening suicide? Meanwhile Dalziel's colleague, Peter Pascoe, has returned from a long convalescence uncertain about his job, his marriage or his motivations while having to act as a moderator to the strong-willed Dalziel.

Reginald Hill, who lives in Cumbria, is the author of over thirty novels, including the popular Dalziel and Pascoe series, which was televised on BBC TV. He has won the Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger award for best crime novel of the year and received the Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement.

Brian Glover's first major role was that of Sugden, the games master, in the celebrated film Kes. Later credits included Leon the Pig Farmer, Up n' Under and Stiff Upper Lips. On stage he appeared in Saint Joan, The Mysteries and The Canterbury Tales, while television roles included Lugg the manservant in Campion and Selwyn Price in Anna Lee. He died in 1997.