Elaine Cooke and Jan Blake are delighted to attend a mother-daughter retreat at a beautiful old hotel in nearby Penzance. It's a reunion of sorts for Elaine's mom, Virginia, and members of a longtime service guild that she joined in high school. The retreat becomes a family affair when Elaine's daughter, Sasha, also attends. But as is often the case with the intrepid cousins, mystery follows! When Virginia returns to her room, following dinner, she finds a 'gift' and a cryptic note on her pillow. Some other attendees received similar unsettling surprises. Who entered the guest rooms and left these sinister little items? And what secret do the recipients share? Working behind the scenes of the camaraderie and conversation, Elaine and Jan race to solve the mystery before the weekend is ruined. Meanwhile, Archie Bentham uncovers new information about his father that completes the story of the painting's journey from England to Maine.