Signed by author on title page without inscription, first editionThe forlorn coast of East Anglia is the setting for this typical P. D. James engrossing tale. On low cliffs is the small theological college of St. Anselm's. Close by on the shore is the body, under a mound of sand, of one of the school's young ordinals, the son of Sir Alred Treves, an extremely successful and colorful businessman who always gets his way. And now he wants Commander Adam Dalgliesh to investigate his son's death. The Commander feels that there is little to investigate but agrees because he has fond memories of many happy summers he spent at the school. When he arrives though, it turns out that he does have much to do as a very horrible and sacreligious murder occurs.