The Saint Marie Literary Festival is rocked by the death of young literature student and Florence’s childhood friend, Esther Monroe, when she is discovered at the bottom of a cliff on the opening day.

The president of the Saint Marie cricket club is found shot dead in the middle of the team's ground. As the sun rises over the island, suspicion falls on his teammates.

A fishing community is excited about the arrival of their festival queen for an annual celebration, but when her boat arrives with only her dead body on board, DI Mooney is left, yet again, with a baffling mystery to solve. What could a missing loaf of bread have to do with the crime? Meanwhile, Florence and Patrice look forward to their wedding, which is only a week away, but a huge strain is put on their relationship when the groom is drawn into the murder case as a former employer and long-time friend of the victim.

The team are left stunned by another murder connected to the killing of festival queen Tiana. But there is a new lead—a phone call relating to their initial suspect—so DI Jack and his officers travel over to nearby Rosalie Island, where the owner and employees of a lucrative investment company all fall under suspicion as they are questioned about the mysterious call. Meanwhile, with emotions running high, Ruby encourages her uncle, Commissioner Patterson, to show his emotional side for once.