The Dalehouse murder

In the blistering heat of a record‑breaking summer, a quiet chief engineer from a modest Midland town travels to the genteel village of Merchester for the annual lawn‑tennis open. He arrives at the invitation of his old friend Ethel, who has gathered a lively circle of locals—including the charismatic Margaret, the striking Stella, and a few young professionals—all eager for a week of sport and socialising. The protagonist’s most unusual asset is his extraordinary hearing, a subtle talent that lets him pick up whispers and secrets on the court as matches unfold under the relentless sun.

As friendships are renewed and rivalries sparked, the genteel atmosphere of the tournament is tinged with uneasy undercurrents. A sudden chill, a missing car, and an unexpected disappearance begin to disturb the carefree rhythm of the games. Listeners are drawn into a world where the elegance of country life meets a lingering sense of danger, setting the stage for a mystery that slowly unravels beneath the polished surface of Merchester’s social scene.