Another fine mess for Lois Meade and long suffering husband Derek. From the moment his car stopped outside her door, Lois Meade didn?t like the look of Reg Abthorpe who asked her to clean Uncle Herbert Everitt's house now that the old man had moved into an old folks? home. But no-one in the closely knit village of Long Farnden thought Mr Everitt to be that frail or infirm. William Cox was another matter ? in declining health since the death of his wife, but notoriously reclusive and dependent on his dog, Rosie. Was his bad temper natural grumpiness or was he a frightened old man? Good questions, but difficult to answer when Mr Cox, too, has disappeared. Dead animals appear on gateposts and faithful pets are slaughtered. Villagers are being intimidated; and even some of Lois? faithful staff are too frightened to come forward with their doubts and fears. As the atmosphere in Long Farnden and Tresham darkens, Lois calls upon her old ally Chief Inspector Hunter Cowgill ? much to Derek's distress.