A city detective is ordered to move the country, where police work is somewhat more boring than she expected. The team work to solve the two unsolved crimes in the village - arson attacks from over 30 years ago and the case of the disappearing mayor.
A man is found dead face down in a stream. The local gynecologist pronounces death by natural causes, apparently a heart attack. Sophie is suspicious, however, because the dead man is wearing a pearl necklace.
The wife of a famous pianist asks the police to check up on her husband, as he's not answering the phone. They find him in the company of a strange man wearing cowboy boots - reason enough for Sophie and team to investigate.
A body is found in a small chapel near Hengasch, just outside the bounds of Sophie's jurisdiction, and she finds herself having to share the case with the son of her predecessor.