Marian McLoughlin

When Nick Cheyney, director of a new film of `The Scarlet Pimpernel' is beheaded by a guillotine on set, there is no shortage of suspects. An actor whose career he has ruined, a woman who bore his child after a drunken one-night stand, and an embittered gay, alcoholic extra all have grudges against him. Medical evidence then shows that Cheyney was drugged with morphine. Can Barnaby and Jones find the killer?

Bill Pritchard, who supplies Henry Crabbe with the best trout in the country, has a new partner and lover, Jean Barratt, much to Margaret's disapproval. When Jean goes missing, the police and suspect Bill.

Lane finds herself in charge of an investigation involving the death of two drug dealers. Meanwhile, serious attempts are made to discredit Wycliffe.