Prudence Crick is caring for the twenty cats that call The Maples home while Gerry Coneybear is off travelling. Looking for a change of pace Prudence starts working part-time as a barista at the new cafe while also entertaining her out-of-town guests, Bertie Smith and Marion Stewart. When the owners of two adjoining cottages located behind the cafe are suddenly struck down followed by a mysterious house fire, the valuable land where the house once stood becomes up for grabs and a greedy nephew, a condo developer, and a local businessman begin circling like vultures. When a body is found amidst the ashes, Prudence finds herself drawn into the mystery. Was the fire arson? Who is the dead body? And where did that missing cat go?