warwickshire (england)

Ian Rutledge returns to his job at Scotland Yard after five years on the battlefield, keeping secret the fact that he is still suffering from shell shock, and almost immediately is sent to investigate the case of a murdered military officer in which the chief suspect is a much-decorated war hero.

Dr. Faraday, a country physician, is called to see a patient at Hundreds Hall, the dilapidated residence of the Ayres family, but Faraday begins to wonder, as he spends time in the house, if the Ayres could be haunted by more than family conflicts and the changes of society.

Commentaries on aspects of Shakespeare's life and works along with eleven walks that explore the towns, villages and countryside associated with Shakespeare that may have inspired some of his writings.