of Orcival. The opening of the book introduces us to Jean Bertaud and his son, Philippe, who are known for their illicit activities in the village of Orcival. While fishing at dawn, Philippe finds the body of a woman in the Seine, which they suspect to be the comtesse. Despite the father's initial reluctance to inform the authorities due to their suspicious backgrounds, Philippe insists they report the discovery. This decision sets off a chain of events leading to the involvement of the mayor, M. Courtois, and other village figures as they come to grips with the shocking news of a murder occurring in their peaceful community. Tension builds as they investigate the crime, revealing the contrasting attitudes of the characters, particularly between the indifferent La Ripaille and the more concerned Philippe. (This is an automatically generated summary.)