Cathy Carter knew that returning to college would be tough, but she never expected it would involve finding her anthropology professor's dead body.

There are no shortages of suspects in Dr. Bodkin's murder. Besides his three ex-wives and estranged son and daughter, there are also the members of the Talking Parrots Club, a group of four parrot enthusiasts, of which he was the president and founder.

As Cathy delves into Bodkin's murder, she discovers a relationship between her teacher and the Mennonite family from whom she purchased the farmland for her new pet rescue center. She and her friend Nancy, now employed at a detective agency, work together to help Detective Hunt and Sheriff Miller solve the crime.

After receiving cryptic messages, they wonder if someone wants to put a stop to their investigation. With the Buttercup Bend church's 1970's costume dance and Cathy's birthday fast approaching, can she and Nancy bring Bodkin's killer to justice without endangering their lives?