In Somerset, in Bately-sub-Mendip, Pargeter's doll factory burns down and a man's body is discovered inside. When the missing, elderly factory owner, Edith Pargeter is found drowned in a ditch, village librarian Rosie Redman suspects that Edith's brother, Edgar, was responsible for both Edith's death and that of her sister Edna six months earlier. So Rosie enlists the help of the local reporter, Charlie Walters, to investigate privately. However, her involvement antagonises the police who want them to stop interfering. But would-be-sleuth Rosie continues to throw suspicion on Edgar - despite Charlie's warning that she could be playing a very dangerous game...