Former Cabot Cove Gazette editor Evelyn Phillips is back in town because she is worried about her old friend Bertha Mae Cormier. Evelyn invites Jessica to come with her to visit Bertha Mae, who is a bit dithery but not more so than Jessica remembers her being in recent years--except when she begins talking about her charming young neighbor, Martin Terranova. Terranova teaches yoga and meditation in his pool house and it soon becomes clear he has given Bertha Mae romantic visions.

Sheriff Metzger's wife, Maureen, is a regular at Terranova's class and confirms to Jessica that he is exceptionally solicitous to his wealthy older clients, especially Bertha Mae. Jessica and Evelyn accompany Maureen to a class, and Martin's behavior convinces them that he is after Bertha Mae's money.

When Terranova turns up dead in his weight room, what at first blush seems to be an accident soon proves to be murder, and Jessica must put her investigative skills to the test when Evelyn becomes the prime suspect.