Hodgkiss doesn't miss a trick. Two new adventures of that cranky, obnoxious, insufferable but remarkably observant and astute senior citizen. Hodgkiss' daughter Esme Burke has taken a job in a political Party's office. When a glamourous woman is picked as the Party's new candidate over the sitting member jealousies and back-stabbing erupt, soon resulting in murder. When one of the staffers, who has some very 'interesting' information about the Party's new glamour candidate, falls to his death in a stair well Hodgkiss makes the crucial observation that proves the death was no accident. Hodgkiss' friend, Pat Strong has bought an oil painting from the local charity shop. There is an auctioneer's label on the back and Hodgkiss thinks the painting might be valuable. So they decide to investigate. Their inquiries start at the auction house and very soon they find themselves in the dark world of art forgery ... and murder. A woman rings in to Crestwood Police to say that she has received a call that her husband has been murdered and the caller wants a ransom for his body. When Inspector Donald Burke, who takes the call, discusses the matter with his father-in-law, Edgar Hodgkiss, the complications set in. Family jealousy, greed and envy are just some of the motives behind the extraordinary situation that Hodgkiss uncovers.