The idyllic Cotswold village of Folly-on-Weir, with its traditional pub, sumptuous tea rooms and fragrant bakery, is a piece of paradise found ... until 'those incomer Quillams' arrive. A young piano virtuoso and his neglected but talented half-sister, their controlling father, the pianist's beautiful, acquisitive and passionate mother, an ambitious family retainer, and an intimidating woman who has always run the Quillam household form a successful little empire - until it starts to crumble.

The Quillams' arrival has also attracted the attentions of a sly, clever and perverted killer who desperately needs a jackpot and knows where to find one - if the obstacles can be removed. Once again pub owner Alex Duggins and her veterinarian friend Tony Harrison must use their wits and resourcefulness to prevent further carnage - and ensure that they themselves don't become the killer's next victims.