Philip Caldrock is recently retired. He sees an old film starring Cadaver Wincepole, gentleman detective and decides to set up as an investigator, assisted by his wife, Heather. They are joined by Clarissa, a genius receptionist who drops tea cups incessantly. The anticipated master criminal also appears. This is a collection of the first cases in Philip's new career. Bursting with deduction, the Caldrock brain assaults everything from country house deaths to sheds that eat people and incomprehensible murder mysteries. 'A very, very funny book'