Tobias Campion is happily settled as vicar at Moreton Priory. He finds the new lady living of Moreton Hall a charming and generous spirited member of his parish who is only too willing to help Tobias and his friend Dr Hansard look after the less fortunate in the community. Lady Chase's nephew, Marcus Bramhall, however is another kettle of fish. No sooner has he moved his entire family into the Hall, under the pretence of concern for his aunt's recent widow status, than things start going awry. Miss Southey, the Bramhall family's ill-treated governess, intrigues Tobias with her secretive ways. When a stranger's body is found in a river on the estate, Tobias and Hansard suspect foul play. Who is the man? Evidence suggests he has travelled a fair distance but why? When it appears he may have something to do with Lady Chase's lost son, and then Miss Southey mysteriously disappears, Tobias realises he and Hansard may have to adopt their sleuthing cloaks once again.