Supt. Wycliffe and the squad are called in when a woman, Alison Keir, is believed kidnapped. Alison and her husband Alex Keir, run a horse stables and have at least one horse they plan to race in the upcoming season. The police pursue normal lines of inquiry - the Weirs employees, their neighbors the Tregelles with whom they have a competitive business relationship and so on. Of course Alex is also a suspect. When he finally receives a ransom note, suspicions are raised even further. When Alison is found dead, the result of a staged auto accident, Alex finally admits that his wife's death will result in their substantial mortgage being paid off. The murderer and the motive are the result of a death that occurred several years before.
—garykmcd