Called on to investigate the death of wealthy baby food magnate and perennial prankster Arthur Trent, Hamish Macbeth finds himself faced with a list of suspects that includes Trent's greedy relations.

Despite her interest in a handsome new Frenchman, Agatha Raisin cannot get her mind off her ex-husband James Lacey, especially when his young bride is killed right before saying "I do" and Agatha becomes the prime suspect.

Suspicious of a local woman who has been charming the villagers and using questionable potions, Scottish police officer Hamish Macbeth faces strong opposition from the woman's supporters and becomes romantically involved with a forensics expert.

Agatha Raisin thinks she's in for a treat when her ex-husband, James Lacey, invites her on a holiday. But to her horror, his idea of an exotic destination is a small, rundown resort of Snoth-on-Sea. Needless to say, the break doesn't go as planned. When a fellow guest in their hotel is found murdered, Agatha herself becomes a suspect--and it looks as if she will be solving this particular case from the confines of a prison cell.