Kingdom

Peter Kingdom runs his law practice in the small East Anglian town of Market Shipborough, aided by efficient secretary Gloria and a young trainee from London, Lyle. Whilst managing to avoid grumpy Mrs. Thing, he is continually being visited by local Sidney Snell, who is constantly battling the local council, in this case over plans for a new road. Peter's somewhat dodgy younger brother Simon disappeared some time ago. His clothes were found on a beach but no body was recovered. Peter manages to clear up a feud between two brothers, the sons of glamorous Sheila Larsen who died suddenly and whose money apparently disappeared. However, he has a further problem of his own when his unstable sister Beatrice descends on him, having discharged herself from rehab and looking for somewhere to stay.

Peter is hired by an Estonian woman, Aeste, who claims that grumpy local farmer Jack Thriplow has 'kidnapped' her child, of whom he claims to be the father. Further investigation uncovers the use of illegal labour. Meanwhile a nervous Lyle is entered for the annual dyke-leaping contest, resulting in him becoming a very dirty boy. And the less than civil Mr. Hill is snooping around, telling Peter that brother Simon was deeply in debt.

Whilst Sidney Snell complains that he is being harassed by the council into dropping his actions against them, Peter represents the Cases, father and son fishermen, whose boat exploded. The insurance company are unwilling to pay out and sabotage is suspected. Beatrice falls for local artist Alan McEwan and becomes the nude model at his life drawing class, suddenly causing an increase in would-be artists. Peter discovers that Simon had a bank account in the name of Christopher Waller and that it is very much current even though Waller himself is dead.

Mr. and Mrs. Forshaw engage Peter in a case of discrimination when their daughter Laura is refused a place at Cambridge, bringing him into contact with his former tutor Professor Barkway. Gloria fails to show up for work, a squirrel gets into the attic, Beatrice is pining for Alan, and of course there's the ever-present Sidney Snell, with his cunning plan to stop the gas company building on grazing land, whilst more information about Simon's nefarious dealings comes to light.

With Gloria still away Beatrice takes over the running of the office and, especially in view of her disastrous efforts last time, proves very competent, even getting Sidney to help. Lyle helps Herb Griffiths acquire a field in which to keep his prize-winning horse and things turn ugly when the horse disappears and travellers are blamed. Peter gets involved in a marital case involving Mr. and Mrs. Collins. He likes wearing women's clothes and, unlike his wife, can see nothing wrong in it, so it takes all of Peter's resources to come up with a solution. Hill returns, in more threatening mood, demanding the money owed by Simon.

Mr. Narbutowicz, an elderly Polish man who has survived a concentration camp, comes to see Peter,as the council want to evict him in view of all the rubbish in his house. Peter gives the case to Lyle who acquits himself well. With Gloria back at work Beatrice makes efforts to befriend her by suggesting that they do 'girly' things together, a suggestion met with some wariness. Peter judges the rudest shaped vegetable at the church fete - where Mrs. Thing is persuaded to leave her money to the church - but a ruder shock is in store for him when Honor, Simon's girlfriend, turns up with her and Simon's baby Daniel.