Peter Kingdom runs his law practice in the small East Anglian town of Market Shipborough, aided by efficient secretary Gloria and a young trainee from London, Lyle. Whilst managing to avoid grumpy Mrs. Thing, he is continually being visited by local Sidney Snell, who is constantly battling the local council, in this case over plans for a new road. Peter's somewhat dodgy younger brother Simon disappeared some time ago. His clothes were found on a beach but no body was recovered. Peter manages to clear up a feud between two brothers, the sons of glamorous Sheila Larsen who died suddenly and whose money apparently disappeared. However, he has a further problem of his own when his unstable sister Beatrice descends on him, having discharged herself from rehab and looking for somewhere to stay.

Whilst Sidney Snell complains that he is being harassed by the council into dropping his actions against them, Peter represents the Cases, father and son fishermen, whose boat exploded. The insurance company are unwilling to pay out and sabotage is suspected. Beatrice falls for local artist Alan McEwan and becomes the nude model at his life drawing class, suddenly causing an increase in would-be artists. Peter discovers that Simon had a bank account in the name of Christopher Waller and that it is very much current even though Waller himself is dead.