Aunt Mary rules the town of Cranbury-on-Sea solely thanks to her charm, which is harder than steel and deadlier than poison. Strange things are happening in Cranbury. Why did all the men turn into weak-willed zombies in gray suits? Why are there no children here at all - only quiet orphans in the local orphanage? Where did Anthony Green go all those years ago that no one wants to talk about? And what happened to the rebel Chris, the brother of the quiet, well-mannered Midge? No, it cannot be that Aunt Maria had anything to do with this: after all, she is so kind, so nice, so wonderful!