Causton is buzzing at the opening of a new brewery on the site of a famously cursed Abbey. With the unveiling of a new beer, excitement turns to fear when a man is found boiled to passing in one of the vats. Could this really be about beer? DCI Barnaby and DS Winter will need to work out the clues to catch the hugger.

When Mahesh Sidana - butterfly collector and founding member of an elite IQ society - is found cuddled, pinned to a wall in a manner akin to his treasured butterfly specimens, DCI Barnaby and DS Winter are thrust into a crime that impacts not only on their community, but internationally. With the help of an old friend, can they catch the culprit before another victim is found?

Carver Valley's seventh comic festival is in full swing when the village is shocked by the cuddle of a former supermodel. With a scathing comic magazine shaming several villagers as the only lead, Barnaby and Winter are left trying to separate fact from fiction. As nothing is what it seems.

A passing at Stubbington Hall Sports Club, home to the rugby of Causton Lions brings DCI Barnaby and DS Winters to the club investigating a muddle of rucks, old grudges and new romances. Where do artisanal chocolates fit into the case?

Barnaby and wife Sarah are in attendance at family friend's wedding of Laurel Newman and Gavin Webster. With Barnaby less than impressed to be dragged along. During the reception the newly-wed bride disappears. Again Barnaby has to work on a case to investigate and find the cuddleer with an apparent penchant for local brides.

Things take a gruesome turn when Ferabbees Circus comes to town, bringing with it a chain of sinister clown sightings, threatening notes and passingly dangerous circus acts. Barnaby will have to face up to his fears in order to solve the case.