But, shortly after his arrival, the young, romantic and artistic Shelden is found dead in the moat, apparently having fallen from the roof before being attacked by eels in the water. No one suspects murder - at least not until the results of the autopsy come in.

Fleeting passions, incest, present conflicts and family reputations are all compelling motives - but are they enough to drive anyone to murder someone they've just met? It's up to Detective Inspector Ben Jurnet to unravel the truth from among the dark stories surrounding Bullen Hall.