Deep in Hound of the Baskervilles country lies Washford, a village that looks as if it has grown out of the moor itself. Close by is Ashill House, home of the Beales, an odd and reclusive family. Old Simon has withdrawn from active life, Nicholas and Gertrude confine themselves to war games and the bottle, young Edward paints on the moor. Only Gertrudea's husband, Frank, has enough drive to maintain the family business. When the village lay-about is murdered, thereâ s no reason to connect the crime with the Beales—until Wycliffe goes in search of skeletons.