Harry Crumb is a bumbling but well-meaning private investigator who comes from a long line of distinguished detectives. This lineage seems to have missed Harry, as he is more prone to creating chaos than solving crimes. Nevertheless, when the daughter of a wealthy family is kidnapped, the case lands in Harry’s lap. The family's regular detective is unavailable, and so, despite his ineptitude, Harry is seen as the next best option. Eager to prove himself and live up to his family name, Harry jumps at the opportunity, oblivious to the fact that his assignment is more of a last resort than a vote of confidence from his superiors.

As Harry delves into the case, his detective methods prove unconventional and comically ineffective. His investigation leads him into a series of misadventures, where his lack of skill and abundance of confidence ensnare him in more trouble than progress. Amidst the chaos he creates, Harry encounters a variety of quirky characters tied to the family and the kidnapping, each with their own peculiarities. Unknown to him, his ineptitude and the peculiar circumstances of his hiring mask deeper layers of intrigue surrounding the case. His persistence and unique approach to detective work, as much a cause of complication as they are of comic relief, begin to unwittingly unravel the mystery.