For ten years, Julia Bickleigh has despised and bullied her husband. For ten years Dr Bickleigh has dreamed of romance ... and escape.

Dr Bickleigh's passionate affair with Madeleine Cranmere now fills his life. When Julia refuses to divorce him, the only solution is murder.

Though Dr Bickleigh has been arrested for Julia's murder, the main evidence against him is his attempted poisoning of Madeleine and Chatford. Everything hinges on the potted-meat sandwiches.

Dr Bickleigh's plans have been upset by Madeleine's sudden marriage to Denny Bourne. Even so, life without Julia is good-until the village gossips start prattling.