No one in Heppleburn has a bad word to say about Alice Parry. But, here she is, murdered in her own backyard on a bitter St David's Eve.
When detective Stephen Ramsay starts asking questions in the village, a more ambiguous picture begins to emerge. Yes, old Mrs. Parry was loved by everyone, but sometimes her kindness caused trouble. Yes, her two nephews were devoted to her, but they didn't really want her interfering in their complicated personal lives. Even among her neighbours, Alice Parry's helpfulness had sometimes misfired. And after her death, tension tight as a clenched fist grips the uneasy village.
Meanwhile, the suspects keep rolling in, as Heppleburn's friendly neighbourhood killer continues his nasty work...