Midsomer's highbrow literary community is turned upside down when one of their prize-winning young authors, Richard Rackham, is mysteriously murdered on the eve of the 12th Annual Midsomer St. Michael Literary Festival.

When the community of Midsomer Parva revives the Straw Woman bonfire festival, tragedy strikes when the local curate Alex Dakin, trapped in a giant straw effigy, is burnt alive.