Major Greyleigh, a former executioner, is found dead. Cause of death: the consumption of poisonous mushrooms. The cook, Mrs. Mullet, quickly comes under police scrutiny. However, the solution is not that simple – Flavia investigates on her own. In her search for the murderer, she becomes aware of several families who lost relatives to the executioner, all of whom have a motive. Or could her unbearable cousin Undine have something to do with the executioner's death? At the end of her inquiries, unimaginable truths come to light: Flavia learns what really happened to her deceased father – perhaps the greatest mystery of her life. Can’t get enough of the delightfully whimsical Flavia de Luce? Then read volumes 1 to 10 of her adventures.