The Kembleford Players need help preparing Shakespeare's Much Ado about Nothing in memory of director Patrick Maitland's and his actress wife Charlotte's baby, who died in her cot some years earlier while Patrick minded her. Mrs Devine plays co-lead Beatriceafter Charlotte actually breaks a leg. Father Brown plays the Friar and Sergeant Goodfellow a number of minor roles. Rose helps with the papier-mâché props. Protagonist Jeremy Sandford is poisoned by weed killer in his hip flask. Father Brown discovers he was a con-man and blackmailer who ruined victims including players' relatives, operating with an accomplice. Inspector Sullivan receives anonymous letters leading to arrest first local farmer Thomas Church, then Patrick Maitland ,who was Sandford's best friend and had an identical hip flask. Mrs Devine is pleased when Inspector Sullivan agrees to play the lead. Brown works out the whole scam and revenge plot.
—KGF Vissers