Summary

Chapter 1 is written from Matthew Venn’s third-person perspective. Detective Inspector Matthew Venn’s father, who was a member of the Barum Brethren, has just died. No one invited Matthew to his father’s funeral because Matthew left the group years ago. However, as the chapter opens Matthew is at the North Devon Crematorium watching the funeral events from afar. While still standing outside, he hears a man named Dennis Salter speaking and the organ playing.

Knowing that the service will soon end, Matthew walks to his car. He receives a call from his constable, Ross May, before he reaches his destination. Ross tells him that a dog-walker discovered a man’s body on the beach at Crow Point. The police initially thought that the man’s death was accidental. They sent an officer to the site, but a closer look at the...