Constable 'Thorny' Deepbriar expects to enjoy a few days of peace and quiet as Minecliff prepares for its summer fete but he is called to an unpleasant incident involving an illegal mantrap. Then there is a death on the arterial road that may not have been accidental and suddenly he has more than enough to keep him busy. With a madman causing mayhem on the local byways and a malicious writer of anonymous letters targeting some of Minecliff's most respected residents the constable faces a serious challenge to his detective abilities and ultimately a threat to his life.