Francis Pettigrew and his wife Eleanor have settled comfortably into the country life at Yew Hill, Markshire. Although local society does seem to have more than its fair share of intrigue and gossip, the Pettigrews can afford to take a somewhat amused and indulgent attitude toward their neighbors - until one of them, a sweet old dear, is viciously murdered. Pettigrew springs to action to hunt for the perpetrator of this grisly crime.