Even though Agatha Raisin detests Christmas panto, her friend Mrs. Bloxby, the vicar's wife, has persuaded her to support the local amateur dramatic society in their festive offering. Stifling a yawn at the production of Babes in the Wood, Agatha watches the local baker, playing the ogre, strut and threaten on stage until a trapdoor opens... followed by a scream and silence! Surely this wasn't the way the scene was rehearsed? And when it turns out the baker has been murdered most horribly, Agatha puts her team of detectives on the case. They very soon discover more feuds and temperamantel behaviour in amateur dramatics than in a professional stage show - and face more danger as they get too close to the killer...