People will kill for a desirable address... When the Bishop of Lynchester visits Lord Francis Powerscourt at home in London, seeking advice about the death of an aged parishioner, Powerscourt advises that discretion rather than accusation is the best way forward - but this is just the start of his association with the diocese of Lynchester. The parishioner's death has left available a property in the cathedral close which the church traditionally rents out to a suitable tenant. Four worthy candidates are nominated . . . and then one of them is found dead in the house, poisoned by strychnine. This time there is no doubt of foul play, and Powerscourt is once again summoned by the bishop. But there are many potential suspects and Powerscourt's investigations lead him to uncover a trail of greed, deception and death which goes straight to the heart of the cathedral itself.