Young Ricky Alleyn has come to the picturesque fishing village of Deep Cove to write. Though the sleepy little town offers few diversions, Ricky manages to find the most distracting one of all: murder. For in a muddy ditch, he sees a dead equestrienne whose last leap was anything but an accident. And when Ricky himself disappears, the case becomes a horse of a different color for his father, Inspector Roderick Alleyn.

Legendary novelist Ngaio Marsh was made a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America and was named Dame Commander, Order of the British Empire, during the course of her career. Pull up a chair and get swept away by her brilliant storytelling.

Editorial Reviews

“One of the best stories by the doyenne of mystery writers in the traditional British style.” —New York Times Book Review

“Rich, raffish, engagingly eccentric.” —Daily Express (London)

“Age does not wither Dame Ngaio, nor custom stale her infinite variety…she writes as beautifully as ever.” —Sunday Times (London)

“Polished and enjoyable as ever.” —Sunday Telegraph (London)

“The New Zealand author scores another hit with her new, impeccably written and suspenseful mystery.” —Publishers Weekly

“As comforting and satisfying as a cup of Earl Grey tea. With the deft touch of a master, Marsh paints her highly visual English countryside sets and charming, gracious characters…[Wanda McCaddon] is unfaltering in carrying off this wonderful work which, in its simplicity, is a throwback to a less complicated, more gently paced period.” —AudioFile