Martin Shaw steps into the shoes of P D James Adam Dalgliesh returning to his old theological college of a young student who studied there.
The verdict was accidental death, he was found buried in dirt on the side of a cliff. Dalgliesh is sent to look again if any of the mad monks were responsible.
Margaret Munroe is helpful to Dalgleish's enquiries but she is soon found dead.
Archdeacon Matthew Crampton turns up to the college, he makes the priests nervous as they think he plans to close the college down, terming it elitist with its valuable artwork. The Archdeacon is under pressure because of gossip that he was the responsible for the death of his wife.
The first episode has red herrings and plenty of suspects. Everyone has something to hide and Dalgleish does not entirely seem to be comfortable to be there at his old college.
A starchy opening episode with some dark deeds going on.