It's impossible to forget the violent bludgeoning to death of an elderly lady in her home.

Even more so when it's your first murder case. Wexford believed he'd solved Mrs Primero's murder fifteen years ago. It was no real mystery.

Everyone knew Painter, her odd-job man, had done it. There had never been any doubt in anyone's mind. Until now...

Henry Archery's son is engaged to Painter's daughter. Only Archery can't let the past remain buried. He wants to prove Wexford wrong...

When he starts probing the lives of the witnesses questioned all those years ago, he stirs up more than old ghosts.