When Erica Maerlant is shot dead during a secret dance rehearsal at her luxurious villa, the Maerlant household turns out to be a serpent's nest of intrigue where everyone has a motive for the murder.

Merijntje Gijzen is a small boy growing up in Brabant, in the south of the Netherlands. One day, out on one of his walks, he meets infamous poacher 'De Kruik,' and the two become friends. De Kruik is in love with Janekee but she is more interested in the new village policeman.