Heppleburn, once a Northumberland pit village, has always been close-knit, friendly and safe-- until the murder of headmaster Harold Medburn. Suddenly, the village seems unfamiliar, uncomfortable. The school caretaker and his daughter pursue their own route of investigation, which should have made Inspector Ramsay's job a little easier. But hampered by false leads, powerless to pre-empt the killer's next move, and overshadowed by the evil atmosphere of All Hallow's Eve, Ramsay finds his own reputation is on the line.