Jim Qwilleran is not exactly thrilled by his new assignment for the Daily Fluxion--a weekly magazine on interior design. But Qwilleran finds himself on familiar territory when a murder is committed, and he and Koko, the brilliant Siamese, take the case.

Qwill, Koko and Yum Yum unite when an old friend needs help. A puzzling murder complicates things.

Qwilleran's prospects for quiet on his return to Pickax are thwarted by a noisy bird, his girl's wandering attention, and the murder accusation leveled against his friend.

Persuaded by his beloved companion to join her in a group tour of Scotland, Jim Qwilleran expects to revel in his Scottish heritage while keeping Polly Duncan safe from the Pickax Prowler. Instead his trip is cut short when a thief swipes a suitcase, the bus driver disappears, and a fellow tourist is found dead--all in the same day.