Trouble is afoot in the remote Scottish fishing village of Stoyre, where the inhabitants are acting kind of ... fishy ...

On a routine visit, Hamish Macbeth finds the pub empty, the church unexpectedly full, and the very air permeated with fear. Then an explosion levels a holiday cottage which the locals call 'an act of God'.

Hamish has another theory, one that will make the national news. With the help of sharp-eyed journalist Elspeth Grant and Lugs (his dog) he begins to winkle out the truth. But Hamish's best laid plans soon go awry when an old friend dies, a scandalous rumour erupts, and someone close to his heart may be lost forever ...

'It's always a special treat to return to Lochdubh.' The New York Times Book Review

'The detective novels of M C Beaton, a master of outrageous black comedy, have reached cult status.' The Times