The story of Lord Paradine and his haunted, tax-blighted ancestral home. This is the classic mystery novel where a group of diverse people find themselves stuck in a house while ghostly events go on and an investigator, called in to work it all out, becomes embroiled in the social intricasies. There is plenty of humor involved, an admirable if flawed hero, many colorful characters written on the real side of caricature, plucky sidekick, a plot that bangs along without slowing down, intelligent and clear delivery.