The discovery of a cryptic message left by a murdered woman forces Ellery Queen and a British investigator into a complex web of deception. Ellery Queen and private investigator Harry Burke find themselves entangled in the investigation of Flory Guild, a retired singer found dead with the word "face" scrawled on her desk. The duo must navigate the conflicting motives of the victim's philandering husband and the sudden appearance of a long-lost niece. The narrative follows a traditional investigative framework, focusing on the logical deduction of clues while the police struggle to find a breakthrough. The story operates within the constraints of a classic locked-room style mystery where alibis and hidden identities complicate the search for the truth.

Readers frequently highlight the intricate puzzle-solving nature of this entry in the Ellery Queen series. Discussion often centers on the clever use of the victim's final message as a central narrative anchor. Critics note the balance between the established procedural elements and the personal dynamics of the suspects involved. The pacing is described as methodical, reflecting the classic style of mid-century detective fiction. Fans of the genre appreciate how the author constructs a scenario that appears straightforward but contains layers of hidden complexity.