Bianca Castafiore (aka the Milanese Nightingale) the famous opera singer, makes an unexpected visit to stay with Captain Haddock at his Marlinspike estate. When a group of displaced gypsies settle on land nearby around the same time her precious jewels go missing, Tintin and friends get involved to solve the mystery. 
 While we're used to his roving worldly adventures, this Tintin story takes place primarily in and around the estate. We get to see our characters in their home environments, with some familiar tropes from the other books (Cutts the Butcher, the never fixed staircase, Jolyon Swagg). Herge has been unfairly accused of portraying people in a racist, colonial manner (Tintin in the Congo, Land Of The Soviets, Tintin In America) - in this story, he presents and handles the gypsies in a fair, balanced and unprejudiced way. 
 A fun and enjoyable read and great way to walk down memory lane.