Cozy Cabot Cove, Maine, has a country luncheonette, but not much high culture. Mystery author Jessica Fletcher is the only writer in residence, but the renovation of the local Worrell mansion into an art colony may bring scores of artistic people to town. No one, however, expected a creative killer.

The posh retreat offers struggling aritsts a European spa, psychiatry, and even hypnotism. But soon the retreat begins to look like a health hazzard. A suicide attempt and a brutal murder quickly arouse the sheriff's attention—and Jessica's. And when an old friend mysteriously disappears, Jessica fears a twisted genius is at work writing a scenario for murder—putting Jessica's own life on the line.