The ancient Setwale Wood has provided remedies for the people of Midsomer Abbey for many decades, now it is the subject of court action by villagers to prevent the impecunious owner of Abbey Farm, James Harrington, from cutting it down. However, when the body of Susan Bartlett is food in the woods, Barnaby and Troy are sent to investigate what at first appears to be suicide, but smells suspiciously like murder.