Lady Elizabeth Hartleigh Compton has enough problems on her hands. Not only is she struggling to upkeep the sprawling Manor House and vast acres she inherited, but she must also take care of her numerous tenants while coping with the inconveniences and sacrifices of wartime England. Fortunately, Sitting Marsh is far removed from the bombing going on in London and other cities. That doesn't mean that peace prevails in the tiny village, however. There's the handsome American major who takes over the Manor House for officers' quarters, and the group of belligerent housewives determined to take on the German invaders, not to mention a murder or two...

Elizabeth is sick with worry for Major Earl Monroe as he flies over Germany and occupied France. To make matters worse, people and things keep going missing from the manor—namely Martin, the elderly butler, and ladies' knickers from the washing line. Before Elizabeth can track either down, a man is found shot dead. Few will miss bad-tempered Clyde Morgan, and the police are ready to call it a suicide, but Elizabeth's not so sure.