Plans to build a new bird sanctuary in a small English village are interrupted by murder most fowl in this delightful British whodunit.
When Alan Tewkes decides to convert the wetlands he inherited from his father into a protected reserve for endangered migrant birds, his altruistic gesture winds up ruffling more than a few local feathers. The tiny Northern English town of Talbot has no interest in hosting the many tourists who would flock to such an attraction. Alan soldiers on despite resistance from Talbot’s self-styled “squire,” DeLacey Thornley, and even from his own brother, Jeremy. But when shooting down Alan’s plan doesn’t work, someone shoots down Alan instead.
Homicide is a rarity in Talbot, and some wonder if the local police are up to the task. But Detective Inspector Hole and his wife, the local schoolmistress, are more resourceful than they might at first appear. As they dig for clues, a web of dark secrets and bitter feuding begins to emerge in this classic English village whodunit perfect for fans of Agatha Christie.