The Kembleford Ramblers annual outing takes a tragic turn when the local Lord is found strangled. In the name of community togetherness Inspector Mallory and Sergeant Goodfellow are joining some local ramblers, as is Father Brown, Mrs McCarthy, and, much to her horror, Bunty. Leading them all is Cathy Fawlter whose husband Norman is giving Goodfellow some birdwatching advice —- but Mrs McCarthy is more interested in the gossip surrounding Cathy and the local odd-job man Randall Jones.