It's Christmastime, and twelve-year-old Flavia de Luce is sailing home to England. But she is greeted with unfortunate news: her father has fallen ill. Only too eager to run an errand, Flavia delivers a message to a reclusive wood-carver - whose body she finds hanging upside down. His cat shows little interest in the disturbing scene. Flavia is energized at the prospect of a new investigation.