Celebrated detective Jack Whicher has been called to a remote country house, Road Hill, in Wiltshire in 1860 to investigate the horrific murder of a young child.

Most shockingly of all, perhaps, it seems the killer is among the household.

Convinced that the local police's chief suspect is innocent, Whicher begins to piece together the family history of those at Road Hill House.

Before long, he uncovers a web of deception and concealment going back decades. Everyone seems guilty, because everyone has something to hide. But not all of them are murderers...

Finally, convinced that his instincts are correct, he makes an arrest that shocks disbelieving locals.

Kate Summerscale's gripping account of the Victorian murder case that shook the nation.

Read by Deborah Findlay.

Abridged by Doreen Estall.

Producer: Justine Willett

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2008. Show less