After an eventful first few months in France (chronicled in Death in Provence), Penelope Kite is finally settling into her delightful new life. When Penelope and her beau attend a gallery opening, a controversial expat painter, Roland Doncaster, chokes to death. Drawn into the investigation, Penelope discovers that any number of jealous lovers and rivals could be involved. And with art dealers to charm, patisseries to resist, and her own friends under suspicion, Penelope will need to draw upon all her sleuthing talents to uncover the truth.