 Julian Shepherd, who has most of his money invested in Charles Edmonton s new invention, is found drowned, and there is every appearance that he killed himself due to money problems. Then a villager who has been stealing peregrine falcon eggs from Charles s widow is also found dead. Elsewhere Mallory Edmonton is keeping her husband sedated and under lock and key in the attic. It transpires that Julian had money worries after investing in Charlie Edmonton s secret invention. Charles dies, and Barnaby and Troy must act fast if they are to uncover what really happened.