Plot Summary:Leo Henderson, star player of the Lower Pampling Panthers, is murdered following a one day tournament called C10, a format disapproved of by committee members St John Beachwood and retired player Germaine Troughton.. Barnaby is mystified by the unexplained amount of cash in Leo's account and the appearance of an unshaven Ben Jones, calling himself Jack Morris and with Leo's widow Melanie when her house is burgled. New captain Fitz Theara, who is taking bribes to throw matches, is the next victim, leading Jones to explain that, with Germaine's cooperation, he is investigating match fixing. - a possible key to Leo's new-found wealth and the financial problems of C10 organizer Elliot Luthando. Whilst a twenty year disappearance is resolved Jones' new role as the leading player makes him a likely target and, unless Barnaby unmasks the killer, the last man out.
Tensions run high in Lower Pampling as a new type of cricket threatens a century of tradition. When a star cricketer dies during a tournament, DCI Barnaby and DS Winter’s investigation draws them into a dangerous game with a surprise visitor from Barnaby’s past.