At Notting, Dale Kincaid must determine whether the murder is the result of a random robbery gone wrong, of revenge by one of Gilbert's cases, of jealousy by his wife's former suitor, or of a domestic tragedy. He finds Gilbert's young wife, Claire, and Lucy, her daughter from a previous marriage. The two seem unusually untouched by Gilbert's death. Hints of a connection between Gilbert and the death of Claire's young husband and the problems of her widowhood with a young child lead him to question their relationship. One of Gilbert's fellow policemen who resented his marriage to Claire becomes a prime suspect. Working with Gemma, Kincaid must weigh all the possibilities before arriving at the identity of the murderer.

This is a well-plotted story with sympathetic characters. The problems of a woman left with a small child and facing destitution are shown in detail. The relationship between Kincaid and Gemma is a continuing thread with their worries of how it may influence their careers and their ability to work together professionally. The working of the police to solve the disturbing crime shows them at their best.

Another welcome addition to Crombie's series featuring the team of Kincaid and Gemma Jones. We await further developments in their relationship.