It's easy for fellow citizens to get on your nerves in sleepy Southern towns like Bradley, North Carolina.  Particularly when one of the citizens is something of a cheapskate. Amos Subers isn't one to tip waiters, pay back a loan, or behave generously with family.  When it's discovered that penny-pinching Amos was actually quite wealthy, it hardly engenders goodwill in the small town … in fact, he's heartily disliked. Octogenarian sleuth Myrtle Clover's housekeeper is certainly no fan of his: Amos owes Puddin money for cleaning his house.

It's not too surprising when Amos is later found, murdered, in his kitchen. Myrtle and her senior sidekick Miles resolve to track down the killer when Puddin becomes a prime suspect…and before the murderer strikes again.