Barnaby and Troy investigate the disappearance of Simone, estranged wife of Alan Hollingsworth, who lost the savings of many neighbors in Morton Fendle in a failed development project for the local mill he set up with rich womanizer Gray Patterson as former partner, and can't justify where the money went. Barnaby has Troy literally dig up a casserole Alan got from smitten wallflower neighbor, who later dies in a most suspicious car 'accident', traced to Simone's buddy neighbor's dodgy ex Vince Perry . They conclude Alan spent the capital on ransoms but he became a lush and is murdered at home. They must dig into more investors lives to solve the case, thus stumbling upon various minor crimes.
—KGF Vissers