For Grandmama Ellison, Christmas is no reason to celebrate. And when her daughter and son-in-law plan a Christmas vacation to Paris sans hers truly, the cantankerous Grandmama is forced to stay elsewhere and travels to the chilly, windswept Romney Marshes to spend the holiday with Charlotte Pitt's parents, Caroline and Joshua Fielding. When Maude is found lifeless in bed, Grandmama senses foul play and takes it upon herself to assume the role of amateur detective uncovering not only the truth about Maude Barrington but some startling truths about herself as well.