Small town etiquette columnist Hope Springs is the latest victim of a murder--only she isn't the one who died.

Determined to celebrate her birthday with quiet decorum, Hope's peace is shattered when she witnesses the hit and run death of Eugene Schreier, the pretentious food critic at her paper, and Jezebel, his equally exasperating dog.

To make a troubling situation worse, Eugene and Jezebel's ghosts arrive on Hope's doorstep, intent on haunting Hope until she helps Eugene uncover the reason for his death.

In their search for answers, the unlikely duo become embroiled in several misadventures, including the murder of a wealthy businessman.