Fox hunting, taxidermy and Oscar Wilde are part of the backdrop as Barnaby and Troy investigate a series of murders, beginning with that of a tramp in the woods.

A visit to his convalescent aunt prompts Barnaby to investigate a series of suspicious deaths at the nursing home where she is staying.

When a local thief and womanizer is killed with a pitchfork, the residents of Midsomer Mallow fear for their chances in the Perfect Village Competition.

With much enthusiasm he recounts the story of The Battle of Aspern Tallow and the wealthy royalist, Jonathan Lowrie. He describes how Jonathan, having survived the conflict, made his way through the village, pausing only briefly to drink from the well, towards the church.