Midsummer in Oxford - midsummer madness. They're burning the Bodleian's books, digging up lost Chaucer manuscripts, fighting over women, professorships, positions on panel-games. Dons, full of fellow-feelings, are ready to shoot one another... with their bare hands.

The Vice-Chancellor's standing on the chapel roof. Been there all day. Propped up among the statuary. Dead, like his predecessors. All among the dreaming spires.

So now it's autumn in Oxford - Inspector Autumn of Scotland Yard. And the biggest clue's been staring you in the face from the start.