"June 1918. A patrolling constable discovers the body of Georgina Cheney, wife of a naval commander, in the basement area of a house in Westminster. At first it is thought to be suicide or even a tragic accident. But as Divisional Detective Inspector Ernest Hardcastle of the A or Whitehall Division of the Metropolitan Police begins to investigate --ably assisted by Detective Sergeant Charles Marriott--they soon discover a different story. It is clear that the woman was murdered, and revelations about the victim's previous life in Malta arouse Hardcastle's interest"--Dust jacket flap.