Things were not going well at The Burleigh School. Under the inept headmastership of Mr Crumwallis, the cynical and disillusioned staff attempted, with little success, to educate the dwindling band of boys unfortunate enough to attend this rundown establishment. One of the brighter hopes of the school, however, appeared to be Hilary Frome, the headboy designate and the headmaster’s favourite. But other members of staff were not inclined to be taken in by this handsome, knowing youth.

Practical jokes, some stupid, some dangerous, started to occur. And then murder struck the fast-disintegrating school, bringing in Superintendent Mike Pumfrey to unravel an unedifying nest of secrets.