Published in 2000


From the back cover (Orion 2005 edition):
At the site of a disused mine working on the moor west of St Ives lies an artists' colony. Known as the Guild of Nine it was set up by Archer, who runs it according to astrological principles, and his wife Lina, a woman with her feet rather more firmly on the ground.

Then the newest member, Francine, a beautiful, if rather fey, young woman has a legacy she wants to invest in the colony. Archer isn't sure - not least because she is a Scorpio - but Lina takes a more pragmatic view. Then Francine is found dead in her bed, killed by a deliberately blocked gas-heater flue.

Chief Superintendent Wycliffe investigates, and soon discovers that several of the colony members have very good reasons for not wanting the police poking around in their affairs. And then, right under Wycliffe's nose, comes another death ...

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