Delve into the troubled mind of Richard Temple as he relays his story of murder, betrayal and unrequited love. Experience through his words and his thoughts the terrible occurrences within the Earl household as he witnesses Detective Inspector William Mahon and his unwitting side-kick Police Constable Joe Hobbs attempt to determine the culprit behind Graham Earl's death. This book is an introduction to the characters of Mahon and Hobbs and, though their names are in the series title, they can only be classed as secondary characters within this novella, working as a foil for Richard Temple.