It's the day of the Little Crosby Folk Festival and organiser Toby Winning is found dead, having drowned in a bowl of eggs and live eels. The murder seems to have been inspired by a ballad made famous by the late, lamented star Johnny Carver. Then it comes to light the victim recently announced plans to move the event to a new location, which would have cost local entrepreneur Frank Wainwright dearly. Toby's estranged wife Alice also comes under suspicion, before two further killings take place, echoing more lyrics from the song.