Long romantic walks along the beach, snuggling together in front of a warm fire, falling asleep in each other's arms is what Meg Langslow and her boyfriend, Michael, are looking forward to. Their hopes are dashed when they arrive to find Aunt Phoebe's house already populated by Meg's parents, her brother, a neighbor and Aunt Phoebe. Neither Meg nor Michael is fully prepared to spend their getaway weekend trampling around the muddy island trying to clear Meg's father of murder when the body of Monhegan's most hated citizen is found.