The reception after the funeral of Edgar Smith is not a sober affair in any sense of the word, thanks to the antics of his daughter, Lorraine. When, later on in the day, Lorraine's body is found her sister's spare room, the party ends and DCI Benedict Mitchell and his team arrive to begin a murder investigation.

Most people disapproved of Lorraine, but who would want her dead? Her young daughter, Donna, who found the responsibility of an alcoholic mother too great? Nick Felling, Lorraine's estranged partner and Donna's father, who wanted custody of his daughter? Lorraine's son Philip and his fiancée, who both found Lorraine's behaviour embarrassing? Lorraine's sister, Diane, wanted the money left to them by their father while Neville Scott, the deceased Edgar's surgeon, had his own agenda.

Certainly there is no shortage of suspects for DCI Mitchell - and then a case of burglary complicates matters further still.