"The murder, a brutal stabbing, definitely took place on Guy Fawkes's (bonfire) night. It was definitely by the bonfire on the village green, and there were definitely a number of witnesses. And yet, nobody is clear on what exactly happened and what they saw. In the writhing, violent shadows, it seems as if the truth may have gone up in smoke. Julian Symons's phenomenal 1960 novel is a searing drama of wrongful accusation, twisty police procedural, and account of grim murder all rolled together. Also includes the short story "The Tigers of Subtopia.""--