Scent of a $windle is flush with provocative foreign intrigue and unforgettable characters—including a menagerie of animals that consists of a dog, a cockatoo, a goat and a rooster. A disturbingly tragic murder has upset the balance of life on the white carpets of Pirunedale, California. Muralist Josephine Stuart is keeping a promise by house-sitting for Mr. and Mrs. Trippy who are touring Europe for thirty days. When the Trippy's neighbor is murdered, they automatically inherit Boris, the victim's rowdy cockatoo. Unfortunately Josephine becomes caretaker not only of their house, but also the inscrutable bird. Being the nosy neighbor she is, Josephine can't help getting involved in solving the murder. She has a long roster of suspects—all of them apparently interested in one small, but valuable item.