Eccentric recluse Roderick Payne has bequeathed his vast estate to little Friends of Felines cat shelter, but the gift comes with a catch. The first stipulation, to care for the dead man's cat Winnie, is simple for Lynley Cannon, cat shelter volunteer and self-appointed cat lady. The second, however, proves more difficult.

Friends of Felines must "find Payne's killer," but since he died of natural causes, that will be a trick.

Lynley, charged with unraveling the enigma, discovers an unlikely ally in Winnie. The cat's clairvoyant insights guide Lynley toward the truth, but will her findings threaten both their lives?