The unidentified body of a homeless man is found in a dune of the Bay of the Somme, a shotgun wound in his back. An accident or murder? The local gendarmes, commanded by Aurore Debac, investigate. But Aurore is assisted by the opinionated Major Paul Beaujour, who's just arrived in the area, has unusual methods and knows nothing about local customs, in particular the special rights accorded to some of the local notables, most of them hunters, members of the very posh Gentry Club, who might be involved in the killing.