Mrs. Edwina Broome (Natasha Richardson) has just moved into the neighborhood known as "Widows' Peak", so called due to the prevalent marital status of the residents, who tend to be a rather exclusive bunch. The residents are all curious about their new neighbor, but no one can seem to get much information about her, including Queen bee Mrs. Doyle-Counihan (Dame Joan Plowright), whose son is busy wooing Edwina. Miss Katherine O'Hare. (Mia Farrow) and Edwina have an immediate dislike for each other, however, and soon some accidental encounters begin to look like Edwina is trying to ruin her new rival. The problems escalate and the town is in an uproar, but they get no closer to solving the mystery of the newcomer.