Although it's 90 years since the end of WW1, the feud between the Hammond and Hicks families still festers. Much to the disgust of Colonel Henry Hammond, Private Tommy Hicks condemned for cowardice in the conflict, has been exonerated and his name added to the local war memorial. Meanwhile Barnaby is not a happy man. His roof is leaking and his peaceful dinner with Joyce at the local hostelry is interrupted when he has to break up a fight between the two elderly patriarchs of the Hicks and Hammonds families who, despite being wheelchair bound, battle it out with baguettes!

Barnaby decides to join Causton's annual trip to Brighton when he become suspicious about the mayor's plans to buy up coastal land for holiday chalets. But before he can get to the bottom of the dubious deal, a hated property developer is beheaded at a funfair and a collection of valuable historical swords goes missing. With the help of his cousin DCI John Barnaby, the detective sets out to crack the case. Guest starring Neil Dudgeon (Roman's Empire), Mark Gatiss (The League of Gentlemen), Coronation Street villain Brian Capron and Blackadder's Tim McInnerny