Fear Round About

Sebastian Dommett spent his career as a county coroner, and it wore him down. He had once been a partner in a law practice until his co-partner ran off with the clients' money. Later, his daughter eloped with a police constable, leaving him with a lasting dislike of the force, which he showed by pressing officers hard in his courtroom. Though he grew increasingly fearful of something, he kept his composure. When he learned that Chief Superintendent Littlejohn of Scotland Yard was nearing retirement, Dommett decided to propose that Littlejohn take charge of security and act as steward at a dilapidated manor that his wife had inherited. He was murdered before he could make a formal offer, and Littlejohn joins the local constabulary to investigate.

The decaying manor has a reputation for being haunted and ill-omened. Odd events occur there, and its unusual residents come into the story as Littlejohn works toward a resolution.