Pub landlady Hannah Altman is crushed to death when a stunt goes wrong during a magic show by famous illusionist Gideon Latimer. When Kate discovers the safety wires have been sabotaged a murder investigation is launched. Barnaby and Nelson uncover conflicts between the village church and Midsomer Oaks’ ancient pagan traditions. But with the murders seemingly all linked to Gideon’s illusions, who is staging the deathly tricks and why?