New County councillor William Ellis has a huge shock in a meeting with Leader Marie in her office to discuss his future. Marie’s arch-rival Natalie plots to oust Marie as Leader as a stepping-stone to a glittering career in Parliament. She threatens to expose Marie for corrupt behaviour. Aloof Dr Edwards is a keen eco-warrior who wants to green the county. Practical Pete, who owns a fleet of lorries, is very hostile. Each tries to steer council policy his way. Two young councillors Sam and Clarissa fancy each other but neither dares to make the first move.

Everyone is shocked but not surprised when a councillor is killed in a busy place in plain sight. Nobody can work out who did it or how. Even the doughty local police are foxed. There are very few clues. One councillor goes missing. Complications arise as William’s brother Mark is the lead Inspector for the case.

The novel is set in the fictional charming small cathedral city of Hillford, county town of Hillfordshire. The author draws on his extensive experience of local government to add realism, as well as humour, tragedy, and the workings of councillors, and their relationships, sometimes friendly or loving, sometimes hostile or argumentative, but all caught in the complexities of trying to run a county and please their constituents. These are elected politicians as rarely seen in public.