There is a lot of rubbish to sort through in Tommy and Tuppence Beresford's new country home, The Laurels. Turning the pages of an abandoned book, Tuppence uncovers a troubling note: "Mary Jordan did not die naturally. It was one of us. I think I know which one." Peering into the past, the Beresfords learn the author of the note died very young-was it coincidence, or did he know too much? But it is no coincidence when a loose panel of glass just misses Tuppence, nor when a bullet grazes her arm.