Tragedy at Ravensthorpe

In the quiet English countryside of Ravenstroyde, Sir Clinton Driffield returns from a decade abroad to take up his first post as chief constable. His old schoolmate, Cecil Chacewater, greets him with a mix of nostalgia and local gossip, introducing the sprawling estate, its eccentric inhabitants, and a much‑anticipated masked ball celebrating the coming‑of‑age of Joan, the estate’s spirited heiress. Their banter reveals a world of long‑standing family ties, subtle rivalries, and the whimsical expectations of a society that still clings to tradition.

As the ball approaches, the invitation becomes a playful invitation to mystery: guests must conceal their identities entirely, and even seasoned detectives are challenged to keep their costumes secret. Sir Clinton, ever the professional, wrestles with the idea of joining the revelry without compromising his rank. The stage is set for a charming clash of authority and amusement, promising clues, clever deductions, and the faint whisper of something amiss beneath the glittering masks.