The London aristocracy has discovered the pleasures of seaside holidays in Badgers End, and it's Cecily Sinclair's job as the owner of the Pennyfoot Hotel to keep them comfortable and entertained. Detective work is not part of her duties—but Cecily is only too willing to help the local constable when death pays an unexpected visit...

The staff at the Pennyfoot is thrilled about the upcoming bagpipe contest. This year, the biggest prize of all will go not to the merriest songster, but to the one who solves Badgers End's most brutal murder yet. One of the pipers is found hanging from a hook in the butcher's cellar. And Cecily Sinclair knows it is up to her to find the killer before another piper pays for his visit with his life...