DS Ben Jones returns home to the village of Dunstan when an elderly couple are found dead in their home. Although initial signs point to a botched burglary, DCI Barnaby begins to suspect that the deaths may be connected to Ben's group of childhood friends, and a mysterious disappearance that occurred years earlier.

DCI Barnaby and DS Jones investigate the traditions of a local pagan cult in Midsomer, the Temple of Thoth, when a magician's assistant dies on stage during a children's magic show.