Eels from the river Shannon have become big business in Ireland. But the prfits aren't without risks. One evening, a pair of eel police-officers charged with maintaining peace and honest business practices among this motley crew-is found murdered in an inn located along the Shannon. Chief Inspector Peter McGarr of Dublin is called in to investigate the crime. He soon finds an unusual and significant element in the method of their murder and a plethora of suspects-providing all the indredients for a truly clever and intriguing mystery.