Amid the excitement of preparations for the Perfect Village Competition in Midsomer Mallow, a local rogue is found brutally murdered. Barnaby discovers a wealth of suspects-- all of whom appear to be lying -- and a determination by the villagers to keep his investigation quiet so as not to jeopardize their chances in the competition.

"At the court of Chancery, the Jarndyce and Jarndyce case grinds on for years with no end in sight. Entangled in the lawsuit are a growing number of innocent victims: Ada Clare and Richard Carstone, whose inheritance is gradually being devoured by legal costs; Esther Summerson, a child with mysterious parentage; and even Jo, the destitute little crossing-sweeper. As the case staggers onward, yet more people become embroiled in the furious legal battle,...

First the portrait of a wealthy village forefather is found slashed to shreds in the local museum. Then a string of unearthly happenings in the museum and its graveyard terrify the community. Barnaby and Troy are called upon to separate fact from fiction.

Barnaby is enlisted to keep the peace when the arrival of two feuding clans of travelers disrupt the tranquility of Martyr Warren. Local magistrate and Falklands War veteran Hector Bridges gets fired up about the interlopers and unwisely marches into the fray.