Tarquinius Uino, a refined intellectual and snob, a scoffer and a sybarite, having shaved his head and armed with a manual on espionage, sets off from England to Provence, which he considers his spiritual homeland. He introduces the reader to his life, art history, and eternal human passions through exquisite menus corresponding to different seasons. Gradually, a detective line appears in the book, and an inspired cook turns into a talented poisoner...