1957, Ireland . Detective Inspector Strafford is summoned from Dublin to investigate the murder at Ballyglas House - a secluded estate of the Osborns, representatives of the local aristocracy. The case is complex and fraught with scandal, since the victim was a parish priest . The weather deteriorates, the roads sweep away the blizzard, the head of the family tries to convince the police that an unknown robber is to blame for everything, although there are no signs of hacking. Strafford, a melancholy and astute descendant of a noble family, wants to find the killer at all costs, but everyone around is hiding something and intend to keep their secrets. Gradually, the classic English detective acquires more and more terrible shades, and the inspector realizes that he has encountered real evil.