Unbelievable as it seems to all the Old Boys, Maxwell's school is about to be turned into a conference centre – Halliards is to be no more. Some of his schoolfellows can't let the moment pass and so they gather together, the Year of Mind Your Own Business to say goodbye for ever.

But some of the goodbyes are more permanent than others, particularly when one of their number is found hanging from the bell rope in the abandoned buildings.

The years since A-Levels have gathered a lot of baggage for them all and wives, lovers, secret lives are all exposed to the bright light of the police when the investigation gets underway. Luvvie actors, cult members, barristers and teachers they all may be, but Old Hallardians never die... except that they do, one by one, until Maxwell is fighting for his life. Can even Jacquie save him this time?