Death of a Fool
When the pesky Anna Bünz arrives at the village of Mardian to investigate the rare survival of folk-dancing still practised there, she quickly antagonises the villagers. But Mrs Bünz is not the only source of friction -- two of the other enthusiasts are also spoiling for a fight. When the Sword Dancer's mock beheading becomes horribly real, it is Superintendent Roderick Alleyn who must discover who had the best motive for murder.