Bernie Weinstock and his assistant Robin have failed in their first task when the first person on the list, window cleaner Frederick Oldfield falls to his death. But they are stunned to discover later that he was murdered, with the only clue being that a figure with a limp was seen leaving the scene of the crime. They set about finding the others on the list, but Joe Galliano, a London gangster named on the list, is keeping a low profile for some reason and making inquiries of his own. However, Robin has located another on the list, the Reverend Arthur Wildblood, leading the duo to travel down to Somerset. But finding the village of Pockling is the least of their troubles as they are not the only ones to make their way down, with a nasty surprise awaiting them.