"The Hopwicke Country House Hotel, owned by Jude's glamorous friend Suzy Longthorne, is to host an event for the all-male society, the Pillars of Sussex. On the night, Jude helps Suzy serve dinner, and in the early hours of the morning they watch with relief as the guests drag themselves to their beds.
The next morning Jude notices that one young solicitor is not at breakfast. She heads for Nigel Ackford's room, presuming he is feeling the effects of the night before. It soon becomes apparent, however, that Nigel has been spared his hangover. For Jude finds him hanging from the beams of his four-poster bed...
Was it suicide? The police are convinced it was but Jude does not believe Nigel was a man on the edge. She immediately enlists the support of Carole, her friend and neighbour.
As the two ladies begin their enquiries, it appears that the Pillars of Sussex are involved in a conspiracy of misinformation, and that each person they talk to has something to hide.
Now Carole and Jude must find out the truth behind an extraordinarily elaborate attempt to cover up a simple, cold-blooded nurder..." -- Inside cover