Detective Inspector Frank Summers has been booked off work following a near fatal anaphylactic shock. His wife is determined that he should obey his doctor's orders. As she is also his boss that should be simple. But he is determined to identify the perpetrator or perpetrators behind a series of attacks on little old ladies. Both their efforts are impeded by various movements becoming increasingly militant. The police station appears to have gone feminist. The Old Birds army (TOBs, Women Only) is planning a pre-emptive defence of helpless little old ladies. The Cult of The Clueless (TCoTC, Men Only) are demanding their right to ignorance. The Religious Once are threatening outright violence if their tolerant beliefs are not respected. Various New Age and Old Hippy believers, followers and troublemakers are descending on Wellbury in search of ley lines. Frank is embroiled in an e-mail game of double-chess with an anonymous person calling himself A Mason who sends messages which might make some sense if anybody could work out what they meant, but whatever they are they sound distinctly threatening. Frank and Frieda are running out of time as they approach Demonstration Day, when TOBs and TCoTC plan on settling the Religious Once's hash. And, being off work, it's Frank's turn to cook dinner.