In Tope's latest book, the sleuths from her two mystery series - Detective Sergeant Den Cooper and undertaker/amateur detective Drew Slocombe - team up to solve a series of mysterious killings in the quiet rural area of East Devon where they both now live. It's with mixed motives that Karen Slocombe's cousin Penn pays her a visit one summer Sunday. Not only does Penn want to renew contact with a relative not seen since childhood, but she is also looking for help with the disappearance of Justine, another cousin. Drew Slocombe's reputation for unraveling such mysteries is widespread and Penn hopes he and Karen can be of assistance. Justine's mother, Roman Millan, an avid beekeeper, claims to be unconcerned at her daughter's disappearance. Roma's husband, Laurie, however, believes otherwise, although he is not aware of the tangle of family secrets that led to a five-year estrangement between Roma and Justine.