After an eventful first few months in France (chronicled in Death in Provence), it seems Penelope Kite is finally settling into her delightful new life, finding love with the mayor of St. Merlot. When Penelope and the mayor attend a gallery opening, the evening takes a horrifying turn when a controversial expat painter, Roland Doncaster, chokes to death. An accident? Or a malicious plot? Drawn into the murder investigation, Penelope discovers that any number of jealous lovers and rivals could be involved. And with dashing art dealers to charm, patisseries to resist, and her own friends under suspicion, the unflappable Penelope will need to draw upon all her sleuthing talents to uncover the truth.