When a barrister is killed in Midsomer, suspicion falls on convicted murderer Grady Felton who was just released from prison. But Grady has a solid alibi. DCI Barnaby suspects he may be working with an accomplice - until Grady himself is targeted in an arson attack.

The murder of a journalist has chilling echoes of a 1960s horror film starring Midsomer's own Stella Harris. When Stella's more famous sister returns after a 40-year family rift, the killings escalate, each reminiscent of a movie plot.