Ed Ramsey and Tracey Reilly were celebrating their honeymoon in Ireland when Tracey learned that her estranged brother Frank suddenly had decided to return to Buffalo, Tracey's hometown, and live with their mother. Tracey and her mother were thrilled at this news, and Ed was anxious to meet his new brother-in-law.

The reunion was a happy one until an attempt was made on Frank's life. Frank claimed he knew of no one who would want to harm him, but he reluctantly revealed that he ran into financial and drug trouble after he abruptly left Buffalo and went to Florida. But even after disclosing his past problems, Ed and Tracey are certain he's keeping a dangerous secret to himself. It will take all the efforts of Ed, Tracey, and Ed's son Frosty (who refer to themselves as the "Ramsey Detective Agency") to solve what turns out to be a very complicated set of crimes.