The doctor is convinced that Jim Lapsford, a seemingly healthy fifty-five year-old died of a heart attack, but Drew Slocombe isn't so sure. He thinks that it was murder and all he needs is proof.

When two hunt protestors are killed, apparently in 'accidents', DC Den Cooper investigates. As Den tries to solve the case he finds himself drawn in to an insular Quaker community and a village divided by loyalties and past misdeeds.

Drew Slocombe is determined to make ecologically sound burials popular. Unfortunately, his gravedigger has just discovered that their cemetery has one too many corpses - that of an elderly woman. When Genevieve Slater asks for help proving that the body is that of her missing mother, the mystery deepens.

When a herdsman is found dead, Sergeant Den Cooper happily suspects Gordon Hillcock, who is dating Den's ex-fiancee, Lilah. But how far will Lilah go to protect her new lover?

Karen Slocombe's cousin Penn, asks for Drew's help in tracking down a missing relative, Justine. But why has Penn come to him, and why is she reluctant to get the police involved?

Karen Slocombe and her daughter are nearly caught up in an explosion at the local supermarket in a small West Country village. When Karen then witnesses a horrifying murder, she begins to wonder what is going on.