A sportsman's plans for a new life begin with murder.

An author whose novels feature his hometown disappears; the publisher hires Barnaby to find the last chapter of the newest novel. A senile aunt introduces Barnaby to the "family" in her dollhouse, providing the clue to more than one murder.

While investigating the death of an apparent suicide jumper Barnaby learns there was a jewel robbery in the building next door at the very same time the man jumped. Following his gut instinct he suspects the two incidents are connected.