While out collecting some Portuguese laurel for formidable flower arranger, Mrs Dawes, feisty widow Ellie Quicke comes across a dead body...a corpse without an identity. Next day, Mrs Dawes is discovered by Ellie and her grandson badly beaten and close to death. Much to Ellie's dismay, the police think shaven-headed Neil, Mrs Dawes' grandson, is responsible, even after a third body comes to light. As if this were not enough, Ellie's ambitious daughter Diana has gone into partnership with a smiling, steely estate agent, causing her to neglect her son; Ellie's aged aunt is making plans for the family which are sure to cause ructions; and their delightfully rotund vicar asks for more attention from Ellie than she can easily give. So who has lost their identity and who has gained it?