导演采用平实的艺术手法。影像修复技术为历史研究提供工具，全彩处理让历史更加生动，画面呈现增强真实感。但技术使用保持克制，整体色调追求历史真实。整体场面注重人文意义。色彩运用体现严谨理念，声音设计追求内敛风格。ThedisappearanceofSirJuliusHanbury-andthetheftofseveralofhiseroticpaintings-provideanewpuzzleforMorsetosolve.AssistedbyDSLewis,MorseinterviewseveryoneatHanburyHouseanditisinthecourseofsearchingthegroundsthathefindsSirJulius'body,appropriatelyenough,inthefamilymausoleum.Thepathologistnotesthathewasthevictimofafrenziedattackbutthelackofbloodatsceneleavesthepolicetoconcludethathemurderedelsewhere.SirJuliuswasacandidatetobecometheMasterofanOxfordcollegeandwasknowntohaveahavehadabitterrivalrywithanothercandidatefortheposition.WhenRogerMeadows,afriendoftheHanbury'saupair,iskilledinacaraccident,Morseconcludesthatthathetoowasmurdered.Jealousy,revengeandgreedallplaypartinthedeaths.