Supt. George Gently goes pike-fishing in Northshire and finds it's another kettle of. . . he must deal with--namely the murder of a brash young American at the Manor House where he's a guest with assorted others. In its lenitive fashion, this proceeds from the abc characters (a Lordship, his calculating cousin, an artist, etc.) to the xyz options. For his auld acquaintanceship which appreciates coming in to ""have a warm by the fire.