"What I read in your hand is tragedy-a horrible tragedy that doesn't come to one in a million people."

Bookseller Theodore Terhune buys the substantial library of the recently deceased James Strudgewick, a wealthy Yorkshireman who fell and drowned at a local beauty spot. Though his death was deemed accidental by the coroner, the locals remain suspicious and dislike Strudgewick's nephew and heir. But Ronald Strudgewick has a cast-iron alibi-he was 30 miles away visiting with friend Robert Shilling in Thirsk at the time of his uncle's death, and the police have already picked over his movements. But Terhune and his friend Julia have met Shilling before, and know there is a mysterious accidental death in his past too...

Work for the Hangman is a classic blend of traditional detective novel with "how-to-catch-'em" mystery, and showcases Bruce Graeme's use of local geography and small details to build an intriguing puzzle.