Thirteen distinct authors contribute individual chapters to a single, collaborative murder mystery investigation. Each contributor writes a segment of the narrative, attempting to solve a crime established by the preceding authors while adhering to the constraints of the Detection Club's traditional rules. The protagonist, a detective tasked with navigating these shifting perspectives, must reconcile conflicting clues and motives introduced by the various writers. The narrative framework functions as a relay race of logic, where the physical evidence remains constant but the interpretation evolves with each new authorial voice.

Readers and critics frequently highlight the technical ingenuity required to maintain a coherent plot across thirteen different authors. Discussion often centers on the tension between individual stylistic flair and the necessity of maintaining a unified mystery framework. Many observers note that the anthology serves as a historical document of the Detection Club's collaborative spirit and their commitment to the rules of the genre. The pacing is often described as varied, reflecting the distinct voices of the contributors while keeping the central investigation at the forefront of the reader's attention.