The episode kicks off with the startling apparition of renowned crime novelist Osric Wolf (Julian Harries), seemingly embracing his final moments as he dashes frantically across his rooftop balcony, chanting an incoherent litany before plummeting three stories down to the unforgiving concrete below.
At a serene weekend writers' retreat, Lady Violet (Amanda Mealing) steals the spotlight on center stage, announcing to the gathered crowd, which includes Isobel Devine (Claudie Blakley), Brenda Palmer (Ruby-May Martinwood), and Father Brown (Mark Williams), that this year's event holds a special dedication to the late Osric. The esteemed novelist whose gripping new crime tome is deemed the best will not only be bestowed the prestigious Quill of Osric award but also receive a generous sum of £75.
Father Brown's gaze soon alights upon a figure he warmly greets as Sir Kingsley (Michael Simkins), felicitating him for his recent triumphant cabinet campaign. When Kingsley's son, Jack (Jake Simmance), joins their circle, the conversation pivots to the prestigious Quill trophy and Jack's latest novel. Father Brown lauds the work while Wilmon Kingsley harbors hopes that it surpasses his son's previous efforts. As Lady Violet glides past, Kingsley seizes the moment to highlight her role as a judge and her protégé, Walter Mitford (Samuel Jordan), who is also vying in the retreat's competition.
Later, Father Brown notices a stark contrast in Kingsley's demeanor towards Jack, as he persists in compelling his son to read aloud for the audience. In a hasty retreat, Jack inadvertently brushes shoulders with Violet's protégé, Walter Mitford, revealing a familiarity between the two.
Just as literary agent Miss Lipton (Gemma Lawrence) introduces herself to Lady Violet, Jack's reading abruptly curtails their conversation. His graphic passage sends him scurrying off the stage in mortification, causing Lady Violet to accidentally spill her drink. In the ensuing seconds, Father Brown and several attendees witness Kingsley's criticism morph into a physical altercation when Jack refuses to return to the stage. His rage nearly extends to Miss Lipton until he learns of her interest in representing Jack's novel as his agent.Within the span of mere moments, Brenda bears witness to a confrontation where Violet confronts Jack, accusing him of attempting to humiliate her through his public reading. Jack, seemingly oblivious to her wrath, stands baffled by her ire. In a dramatic twist, Brenda captures everyone's undivided attention by announcing a murder, only to reveal it as a gimmick devised for the retreat's amusement. Hardly has the dust settled when her prowess for solving crimes astounds the gathering once more.
Father Brown, however, appears more preoccupied with Jack's sudden absence, ultimately discovering him in desperate need of medical attention. Inspector Sullivan (Tom Chambers) and Sergeant Goodfellow (John Burton) hastily attribute Jack's assault to local tramps, a theory fueled by Lady Violet's revelations of recent encounters with such individuals. Father Brown, pedaling away on his bicycle, harbors suspicions pointing towards a far more sinister perpetrator. Before his departure, Brenda fills him in on Violet and Jack's altercation.
Sergeant Goodfellow and Sullivan deliberate on Jack's condition when Father Brown casually strolls by, feigning indifference. To their astonishment, he exits the conversation without much resistance. Yet, his departure is but a ruse, as his suspicions are soon validated when he catches Jack feigning unconsciousness. Jack confesses to his deceit, citing the relentless expectations imposed by his father. He insists on having no recollection of the attack, revealing that the sole item stolen was his pocket watch.
As Lady Violet subtly suggests that the "killer chef" might strike again soon, Goodfellow and Sullivan dive into discussing the genuine case at hand. Meanwhile, Brenda and Devine embark on a quest to trace floured footprints, while Father Brown interrogates Violet about her spat with Jack. Their conversation abruptly halts when Violet discovers the theft of the prestigious Quill award, adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding mystery.
As Father Brown imparts the news of Quill's disappearance to Goodfellow, a piercing scream echoes from the manor, accompanied by the sight of a chef in hot pursuit of a fleeing female. Goodfellow, unaware of the charade, engages in a wrestling match with the chef, bringing him to the ground before realizing the entire scene was orchestrated. Elsewhere, a trail of flour-dusted footprints guides them to Miss Lipton, miraculously still alive, who is promptly whisked away by paramedics. Meanwhile, Father Brown reviews the evidence with Goodfellow, casting a keen eye on Walter, who hastily approaches the manor, clearly agitated.
Inside the manor, Walter is engrossed in listening to a horserace commentary when Lady Violet introduces Father Brown, cleverly disguising the introduction as a request for an autograph. Seizing the moment, Father Brown delves into Walter and Jack's shared past at Gloucester University, highlighting Jack's triumph at the Student's Literary Prize. This victory not only planted a seed of resentment in Walter but also came with the stolen pocket watch as a prize. Upon Sullivan's arrival, Walter confesses to theft of the watch but vehemently denying any connection to the recent attacks. Nonetheless, Walter's fate takes a turn for the worse when Sullivan shifts his suspicions, believing Walter might be after the reward money.
Despite returning for the second day of the retreat, Miss Lipton remains unable to shed light on her assault. Soon after Brenda and Devine arrive, Kingsley and Jack follow suit. Upon catching sight of Jack, Devine mentions Walter's unwavering conviction that Jack had stolen the university prize, piquing Father Brown's curiosity further. Compelled by this revelation, Father Brown pays a visit to Walter at the police station. There, Walter reveals that rumors had circulated about Jack plagiarizing his story, a claim that Kingsley later refuted.
After Jack's triumph at the Osric Award ceremony, Father Brown intercepts Kingsley, probing into whispers of deceit that have circulated. Kingsley, evasive in his responses, hints at the validity of these rumors while concurrently acknowledging his own misgivings about Jack's latest literary endeavor, fresh from yesterday's public reading. Recalling Violet's reaction, Father Brown decides to delve deeper by confronting her.
Father Brown's approach, laden with an unspoken understanding of the truth, prevents Violet from attempting any deceit. She confesses that the character of the Baroness in Jack's novel bears her own inspiration, revealing that her conduct at the time was profoundly influenced by the tragic loss of her father. As she unburdens her soul, Father Brown notices the novel's title, "The Eye Of The Lykos," realizing that Lykos, the Greek term for Wolf, points to Osric's potential authorship.
Despite the overwhelming accumulation of evidence, Father Brown remains puzzled about Miss Lipton's motive and identity as a target. It isn't until Devine rereads the passage Jack recited on stage earlier that Father Brown's suspicions crystallize. On his quest to verify his hunch, Father Brown catches Miss Lipton in the very act of attempting Jack's undoing.
Her confession as Osric Wolf's daughter unravels the entire truth in a dramatic flashback. Jack, it transpires, was not merely a bystander when Osric plummeted over the railing but was involved in a desperate struggle over the manuscript that ultimately led to the fatal fall. Lady Violet, moved by revelation, renounces the award and bestows it upon Osric. The episode concludes poignantly with Father Brown offering a blessing over Osric's resting place, as the truth finally sees the light.
