With the death of owner Karl Wainwright, the Easterly Grange Hotel falls into the hands of four beneficiaries. When Gregory Chamber - one of the new hotel owners - does not attend Karl's funeral, a frantic and worried search party forms. The party scours the woods for a trace of George, ultimately making a grave discovery when they find his severed hand. DCI Barnaby quickly launches a murder investigation, and solving the case takes on a renewed sense of urgency when fatal accidents soon befall the other beneficiaries. A string of affairs and death threats reveal an undisclosed will, a deadly motive and ultimately the "Destroying Angel."
