Unexpected deaths haunt Prudence Barnard, even after Knighton Gaunt of the famous Second Sons Inquiry Agency proved Prudence was innocent of murder at Rosecrest. Trying to escape the notoriety, she accepts an invitation to visit a hitherto unknown cousin, Eric Knibbs. Unfortunately their reunion is short-lived. Eric is found dead, hanging from a noose outside his bedroom window, apparently a suicide. Despite not knowing her cousin very well, Pru knows Eric was afraid of heights and he seemed to have no reason to commit suicide. Her suspicions increase when she exams his room and finds other anomalies, all of which make her question the coroner's conclusions.Most of all, Pru can't help but wonder why Eric's body was positioned to overlook the garden and elaborate maze at the rear of the house.Lonely and afraid, Pru seeks help from her old friend, Knighton. Together, they learn the maze has a dark past and the inhabitants of Kennington Manor are not as content as they appear. Prudence is not prepared, however, for her growing attraction to Knighton nor the strange paths she must follow to discover the deadly truth at the heart of the mystery.The Dead Man's View is the sequel to The Vital Principle, however each book stands alone so the reader can enjoy The Dead Man's View without reading The Vital Principle first.