A luxurious safari in the Kenyan wilderness turns lethal when a high-profile theft escalates into a calculated homicide. Canadian policeman Vachell arrives to investigate the disappearance of Lady Baradale's jewels, only to find himself tasked with solving her sudden murder. As he navigates the social dynamics of the elite hunting party, he must isolate the killer from a group of suspects who all possess potential motives. The narrative maintains a traditional detective framework, focusing on the methodical collection of evidence within a confined, isolated environment.

Readers frequently highlight the author's ability to utilize the Kenyan setting as more than a mere backdrop, noting how the environment influences the investigation's constraints. Discussion often centers on the intricate construction of the mystery, with many praising the balance of clue and counter-clue that keeps the identity of the culprit obscured until the final reveal. Critics often point to the sharp characterizations of the hunting party, which add depth to the standard detective tropes of the era. The pacing is generally described as deliberate, favoring a methodical approach that rewards attentive readers who track the shifting suspect list throughout the narrative.