We discuss chapters 10-18 of Ngaio Marsh's Eighth Roderick Alleyn novel, 'Overture to Death'. Alleyn is now on the case, and unpicking the local drama of Pen Cuckoo. The murder weapon is determined to be a rigged-up pistol linked to the soft-pedal of the piano. More the domain of childish pranks than murder weapons, Alleyn hunts down clues that lead him to Georgie Biggins, a local boy who confesses to setting the trap, but with a water pistol. As the list of suspects presents themselves to Alleyn, can he prove who turned Biggins' prank deadly?