Gentle, idealistic Edward Latimer lives a peaceful life in the tiny village of Stapleford. He is a widower, with two grown sons working in London and a rather dull, dutiful daughter keeping house for him. He was once a schoolmaster and a journalist, and is now happily retired. As Latimer's son Hugh describes him, "He's a great reformer, you know, in his quiet way, and the kindest man alive--if everyone were like him the world wouldn't be a bad place to live in."

Then a young woman comes forward to accuse him of assault - with witnesses, no less - and is later found strangled in a lonely spot on the marsh where she allegedly was going to meet with none other than... Edward Latimer. Now, Latimer's family must work together to solve the mystery before it is too late.