With his apple harvest finally complete, Patrick Dawlish is resting at his Surrey country house and itching for excitement. An evening stroll with his pipe quickly delivers just that when he discovers intruders on his property. Two men speed away into the night as a scream erupts in the darkness . . .

Dawlish spots a girl standing beside a body just before she collapses. Who is she? Who is the dead man savagely murdered on his doorstep? A war hero and natural-born detective, Dawlish isn't about to leave this up to the police. Springing into action, risking the trust of his friends and the love of his wife, Dawlish searches for a killer who isn't afraid to strike again . . .