Do you love a classic English whodunit? Then meet your favourite new gentleman sleuth: whip-smart Oxford don, Dr Patrick Grant.

He loves rhyming verse, witty banter, strong coffee and solving impossible mysteries from history. Now he must pit his wits against a true-life killer.

A sprawling country mansion. A tense family gathering. Someone under this roof won’t live to see morning . . .

When Dr Patrick Grant visits the quiet Hampshire village of Winterswick, he expects nothing more than a weekend of genteel conversation, good food and the odd glass of fine wine. But at Pantons, the Ludlow family’s imposing country house, tensions simmer beneath the polite smiles. Gerald Ludlow is back from his travels, with a stunning new American bride on his arm. And not everyone is delighted by the match — not least Gerald’s waspish mother.

Even the housekeeper, dear old Mrs Mackenzie, is less than welcoming. One look at Gerald’s wife and she almost drops the soufflé in shock. The poor woman turns deathly pale. Like she’s seen a ghost.

Next morning, the house wakes up to a terrible shock. Mrs Mackenzie lies dead in her bed!

The police say she died of natural causes. But Patrick’s not so sure. The Mrs Mack he knew was strong as an ox.

As gossip ripples through the village, Patrick’s sharp mind and love of a puzzle draw him into the investigation.

Everyone at Pantons has a secret to hide. It’s only a matter of which was worth killing for.

Can Patrick unravel the truth before the killer strikes again?

A masterclass in misdirection, brimming with village intrigue and sly humour