Mysteries abound when Joyce Barnaby discovers the body of a middle-aged watercolour artist in Midsomer Florey, and DCI Barnaby is forced to back away from the case when the National Intelligence Squad arrive in Midsomer. However, when something doesn't sit right, Barnaby and Troy start investigating on their own.

While Sgt. Troy assists an attractive wildlife liaison officer with an investigation into the illegal sale of protected bird eggs, DCI Barnaby travels to Midsomer Magna to investigate a sudden death that could be either suicide or murder. However, it isn't long before the two detectives realise their investigations all lead back to the same source.