Gloria French was a jolly widow from London who was heartily welcomed to the charming Cotswold hills, despite her nasty habit of borrowing things and not giving them back. It's quite the shock when she is found dead, poisoned with tainted wine. Parish councilor Jerry Tarrant hires private detective Agatha Raisin to track down the murderer, but the residents resent Agatha's investigation. As if it isn't enough that Agatha's ex has reentered the picture, the murderer is now targeting Agatha.