Superstitious Death

When Mrs Cholmondeley's bay tree withered and died for no apparent reason, the highly superstitious Detective Inspector Montague Pluke knew that a death was imminent in the small Yorkshire town of Crickledale. The subsequent discovery of a shallow grave containing the body of an unknown young woman confirmed his belief.
The injury to the dead girl's head suggested murder and the mirror in the grave told Pluke that this was not a routine investigation but one which would require all his knowledge of superstitions. But before this specialist knowledge can be put to good use, the police have to identify the victim. No young women have been reported missing.
Then Pluke's problems increase when the Security Services tell him to end his enquiries as his investigation begins to bring up secrets in the life of a local philanthropist...