Everyone in the small seaside village of Taviscombe is looking forward to the festival. So is Mrs. Sheila Malory-that is, until the unpleasant Adrian Palgrove joins the planning committee. Mrs. Malory, an avid reader of nineteenth century literature, is dismayed to find the man constantly in her path. First Adrian gleefully informs her that he has been appointed executor of the estate of a renowned author, whose private life he intends to expose. Soon his bad behavior has alienated his fellow committee members. One of his many enemies despises him enough to murder him just as the festival is underway. Mrs. Malory has impressive credentials when it comes to solving murders, but with so many suspects, she hardly knows where to begin. Mrs. Malory and the Festival Murder is the fourth of Hazel Holt''s Mrs. Malory mysteries.