Criminology Professor Dr. Jonathan Maxwell does not believe that Professor Archer Coe died of a heart attack, so he hires his friend Mike Parker to investigate. The pair discover that the murdered professor had many enemies, and many secrets.

Eliza D’Amico thinks her marriage to Louis is going great, until she finds a mysterious love note to her husband. Concerned, she goes to her mother for advice. Eliza, her parents, her sister Jo and Jo’s boyfriend all pile into a station wagon, to go to the city to confront Louis with the letter. On the way, the five explore their relations with each other, and meet many interesting people.