A lighthearted parlor game turns into a genuine homicide when a guest at a country house party is found dead in the dark. Inspector Roderick Alleyn arrives to navigate the social intricacies of the wealthy elite, tasked with identifying a killer hidden among the house guests. The narrative follows a classic whodunit structure, utilizing a third-person perspective to observe the suspects as they attempt to conceal their motives and movements. Alleyn must rely on his keen observation and logical deduction to cut through the layers of deception inherent in the high-society setting.

This novel is widely recognized as the debut of Ngaio Marsh's long-running detective series, establishing the sophisticated tone that would define her career. Readers often note the cleverness of the central premise, which effectively blends the artifice of a game with the gravity of a real crime. The work is frequently cited for its sharp dialogue and the polished, atmospheric depiction of British upper-class life during the interwar period. As a foundational text in the genre, it remains a staple for those interested in the evolution of the classic detective novel.