"In the black of night, a raging fire consumes two barges moored side by side in an English canal. After a body is found on each boat, Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks realizes that this is no accidental fire, but a malicious case of arson. Evidence at the site indicates that the intended victim was an eccentric local artist who is wallowing in jail. Two days later, when another fire claims a third life, Banks and fellow detective Annie Cabbot...