Chief Inspector Wexford has retired, and with his wife, Dora, spends his time between Kingsmarkham and their daughter"s coachhouse in Hampstead. A relaxed lifestyle, yet he misses being the law. However, a chance meeting in a London street changes everything. Detective Superintendent Tom Ede, a young police constable when Wexford knew him, now wants the retired Chief Inspector to be an adviser on a difficult case. Four bodies have been discovered in the old coal hole of a house in St John"s Wood. None carries identification. But one dead man"s pockets contain pearls, diamonds and sapphires - jewellery valued in the region of £40,000... Wexford accepts - not anticipating he will face extreme physical danger.