No witty remarks from an investigating policeman, but instead a compelling story about people living at the times the book is set it (mostly 1936). It centers on a young governess and the privileged family she is absorbed by. The death isn't really the important factor, it's mostly about people living in a situation that was remote from most people's experience. Barnard gives us hints about what is going to happen to some of the characters we've grown to care about, which I found an interesting plot device.
