Serendipity Murder

Frank Coleman, a retired Detective Inspector, is now a resident of Serendipity Retirement Village and he looks forward to publishing his Central Queensland Cases. However, he seems ambivalent about his work in central Queensland and he doesn't want to be known in the village as a retired policeman. He assumes the persona of a retired low-grade public servant.

Jean Reid from Victoria moves into a nearby cottage and she and Frank quickly become good neighbours. She doesn't tell anyone why she has come and her secrecy attracts the ire of Martha Setright, village know-all and Ray Gasper, village loudmouth.

Following a theft of some valuables from Unit 122, Detective Inspector Rankin persuades Frank to get back into the police force and become an undercover agent and in the course of his investigation, a stolen item from unit 122 is found in the bedroom of Jean Reid's visiting nephew, Barnaby.

Frank's affection for Jean spurs his determination to track down the real thief, but his task is exacerbated when a village resident is murdered. The murder squad moves in and excludes Frank from taking any part in their investigation because there is clear evidence that Barnaby committed the murder as well as the theft.

Theft and murder and a deeply divided village and the secrecy surrounding their former lives are stumbling blocks in the way of a happy life together for Frank Coleman and Jean Reid.