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Content snapshot
Flag an inaccuracy →What's in this book, at a glance — five things readers want to know before they start.
Violence
Barely any
A murder in a therapeutic community; depicted without graphic detail
Language
Barely any
Mild language; occasional mild profanity
Sexual Content
Barely any
Romantic tensions among characters; no explicit content
Substance Use
Barely any
References to herbal and alternative remedies; no drug abuse
Emotional Intensity
Some
Psychological tensions in a therapeutic setting; themes of manipulation and trust
What this book is about
The fourth Palmer-Jones mystery finds birder-turned-sleuth George Palmer-Jones and his wife Molly drawn into a murder investigation at a residential alternative medicine centre in rural England. When one of the centre's practitioners is killed, the close-knit community of healers, patients, and believers becomes a web of suspects with motives rooted in professional rivalry, romantic jealousy, and therapeutic betrayal. Cleeves brings the same sharp eye for community dynamics and character psychology that would later define her Vera and Shetland series, making this an underrated entry in British crime fiction.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
Psychological themes including manipulation
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