The Oliver Civic Symphony is just another small-town orchestra, a gathering spot for local amateur musicians. It has weekly rehearsals, punch and cookies, and colorful gossip, and now it has murder.
An oboist suddenly drops dead of what turns out to be a rare poison. A flutist's throat is slashed. Joan Spencer is new in townbut quickly becomes an old hand at digging out clues. And with the help of Oliver policeman Fred Lundquist, she uncovers a daring melody that only a murderous virtuoso could perform.