A man finds himself accused of murder after discovering a corpse in a house he has never entered, forcing him to prove his innocence against mounting circumstantial evidence.

Eve Gill, the daughter of a retired judge, encounters Toby Kent, a man who has just been discovered in a house where a murder has occurred. Together, they attempt to navigate the complex web of clues left behind in a French villa, facing the skepticism of local authorities and the logical traps set by the perpetrator. The narrative employs a classic detective framework, emphasizing the intellectual puzzle of the crime over the physical action of the characters.

Readers frequently highlight the technical precision of the plot, noting that the author excels at constructing seemingly impossible scenarios. Discussion often centers on the cleverness of the central puzzle and the author's ability to maintain suspense without relying on excessive violence. Critics often point to the atmospheric writing that defines the French setting as a key component of the reading experience. Many fans of the genre appreciate the logical consistency maintained throughout the investigation, which rewards attentive readers who track the clues alongside the characters.