For ages, nothing exciting has happened in the sleepy parish of St. Frideswide. Every Sunday, the parishioners dutifully pilgrimage to the church, toss a few pence into the collection, confess their usual sins, and receive absolution. Until one day, the church elder is murdered - during the service. This comes as a welcome distraction for Chief Inspector Morse, who is dreadfully bored on his vacation. Shortly thereafter, the vicar himself jumps to his death from the church tower, leaving Morse and his loyal Sergeant Lewis facing a criminal puzzle that is quite the challenge.