Carole Seddon and her bohemian neighbor Jude find that even the cultured can be crass when it comes to murder.

The life of Esmond Chadleigh, noted poet and children's author, is celebrated in the halls of Bracketts House. Nevertheless, most of Chadleigh's work remains out of print, which leaves Bracketts House out of funds. An American literature professor with a big interest in Chadleigh can keep Bracketts running, in exchange for assistance on her biography of Chadleigh. But the mistrustful trustees are afraid the biographer is interested only in rooting out the skeletons in Chadleigh's closet—especially after uncovering one in his garden. Now, Carole and Jude must risk tarnishing the sterling reputation of a beloved author to learn whether his sword was mightier than his pen.