Hodgkiss doesn't miss a trick. Three adventures of that cranky, obnoxious, insufferable but remarkably observant and astute senior citizen.

Old sins cast long shadows. Hodgkiss learns the truth of this saying when he returns to the country town of Narralong, the scene of previous adventures. This time he accompanies his son-in-law, Detective Inspector Donald Burke who has to investigate a cold case murder.

Isla Quinn, an old school friend of Donald's wife, Esme, becomes concerned when her husband mysteriously locks their bedroom door. When he attaches a bolt to the inside of the door she is convinced he is planning harm. She looks to Hodgkiss for help.

The submarine that shelled Sydney during World War 11 brought chaos to the lives of many Sydneysiders. But to none more than those who lived in a block of four flats where the occupants were already had serious differences and where homicide was already in the air.