A local artist is found dead at her easel. Faith Morgan - vicar turned detective - discovers that several of her congregation may be implicated.
It is late July, the run up to St James's Day. It is also the 1000th anniversary of the church at Little Worthy, and Faith Morgan has planned a whole range of celebratory activities - a music festival; a photographic booklet of recent history; a planting of new trees in the graveyard and vicarage garden; bell ringing; a visit from the bishop. A new painting of the church is commissioned from distinguished local artist Sal Hankley. Sal, who has recently returned from Australia, is not a universally popular choice: outspoken and opinionated, she has made her share of enemies. Before the painting can be completed, Sal is found dead at her easel on a hillock overlooking the church. Suddenly a very respectable member of the community - a PCC member, no less - is under suspicion. Faith - trying to hold church and village together - finds herself teamed with former lover Detective Inspector Ben Shorter (who has no more time for art than God).
