The Mystery of the Back Passage

Summary

On a frigid winter's night, Lady Darriby-Jones is roused from her daydreaming by an unexpected late-night visitor, a familiar yet vexing presence known for annual visits to the Darriby estate. She invites him in, leaving his care to her butler. Little does she know that this decision will lead to a grim discovery.

In the early light of day, a shrill cry pierces the serenity, unveiling a most unwelcome gift of the season: the uninvited guest lies lifeless.

Lady Darriby-Jones is left to contemplate a series of confounding questions. Why did she grant this man an overnight refuge? What sinister connection lies behind a bottle of her gin beside the deceased? How could someone have taken his life when he was confined within a room?

It becomes evident that this enigma is one that Lady Darriby-Jones may not unravel. However, with an inept, ill-tempered law enforcement officer assigned to the case and a young family member implicated as the prime suspect, she must sift through the scant breadcrumbs of clues to disentangle this puzzle.

Will she succeed in unmasking a shrewd killer, or will this chilling incident forever taint the most cherished season of the year with haunting memories?