All is not well at Buckshaw, home of Flavia de Luce... With the family finances in a parlous state, Flavia's father has, with deep misgivings, rented Buckshaw to a film company for a location shooting. Naturally enough, director, crew and stars do nothing to endear themselves to the household - especially the servants
- until, when a heavy snowfall cuts off Bishop's Lacey from the rest of the
world, the actors are talked into staging a benefit performance in the parish
hall. But old jealousies surface, and the leading lady is murdered. Flavia, who has
been enlisted to help out behind the scenes, finds herself up to her knees in
snow - and murder!