Meet Peter Maxwell: widower, film buff, golden-hearted cynic, bow-tied eccentric teacher . . . and reluctant amateur sleuth.

Peter Maxwell is participating in a teacher exchange. He expected a culture shock when swapping his beloved Leighford High for Grimonds private school, but he wasn’t expecting murder!

Within a day of stepping through the imposing school gates, one of the housemasters plummets from the school roof. Then another is found floating in the school pond.

One death is a tragic accident, but two is clearly murder.

Grimonds school is steeped in tradition and dripping with money. But under the impeccable reputation lies a more sinister secret.

Everyone knows something. But nobody is saying anything.

Now journalists are at the school gate; panicked parents are removing their children and the headmaster is desperate to preserve the reputation of the school — or what’s left of it.

This prestigious private school is turning out to be a poisonous playground for a twisted killer.

Has Maxwell finally met his match?

If you love Faith Martin, Richard Osman, Ian Moore, Rob Rinder, Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, Janice Hallett, M.C. Beaton or Simon Brett, prepare to be hooked by this character-driven thrilling mystery!