The first of the Tallyforth Mysteries opens with the discovery of the dead body of an Ofsted inspector in the middle of a school inspection. DCI Tallyforth and DS Georgina (George) Elliott are called to the school in Tamworth, legendary home of Offa, King of Mercia, to investigate.

Headteacher Brian Pickevance is anxious that his school is judged well but is in the middle of an affair with his deputy, Pearl Bowen. P.E. teacher Alfred Pugh carries a grievance for being made redundant the previous year. History teacher Norman de Courcy wishes to return to old-style-education. Music teacher Jon Mitchell would rather smoke pot than teach. Perry Stevens, chairman of governors and Conservative councillor, is rumoured to want to sell off the playing fields. School bursar Alicia Hilton has discovered a financial shortfall in the budget.

These are among the suspects that Tallyforth and George Elliott have to interview in their quest for the school inspector's murderer. To find out who it was, you need to read Be a Falling Leaf.

Published by Pierrepoint Press