When his uncle is accused of an impossible crime by the wary and weary and ever leery Inspector Wittersham, Anty Boijoly's mum sends him to the wilds of Epping Forest to sort out who could have managed to murder the universally disliked taskmaster of a health resort dedicated to the repression and suppression of the best of the seven sins.
And things only get worse for Anty's Uncle Pim when his nemesis dies in another murder that both eye-witnesses - Anty Boisjoly and Inspector Wittersham - swear was impossible.
As if two impossible murders aren't enough, Anty and Inspector Wittersham find themselves at a health resort which allows none of their familiar sources of inspiration under strict rules enforced by Diogenes, the basset hound who's lost faith in humanity.
And so the inspector must do without tobacco for his pipe and Anty without whisky for his wit as they uncover the secrets held by the drinkers and cheaters and full-time over-eaters, each of whom had cause or craving to kill.