Brighton, 1950s, in the middle of winter. Two missing children are found beneath the snow in this chilling new case for DI Stephens and Max Mephisto. Max's shining role in Aladdin is overshadowed by the murder of two local children. With fairy tales in the air, it doesn't take long for the press to come up with a nickname for the case: 'Hansel and Gretel'. An excellent crime case set against the great, rundown atmosphere of post-war Brighton. DI Edgar Stephens has many leads to follow. The missing girl, Annie, used to write plays and perform them with her friends. Is the clue in Annie's unfinished - and rather disturbing - last script? Or could it lie with the eccentric actor types gathered for the pantomime? Once again, Edgar asks Max for help to penetrate the shadowy world of theater that seemingly holds the key. But is it all just classic misdirection?.