It's a busy time of the year for Lord James Harrington and his wife Beth – there's the Michaelmas Fair in the village to enjoy. But matters take a sinister turn when the body of the founder of the Jolly Madrigals singing group is discovered after the Fair. James' friend DCI George Lane is in charge of the investigation, but as further murders occur, he grows increasingly baffled. James and George are convinced that a single killer is responsible for these deaths. But what could possibly connect the victims? With dogged determination, James delves into his own past for clues – and is shocked at what he learns.