When a bridge party hosted by a man who boasts of his collection of murderers turns deadly, four legendary sleuths must determine which of their fellow players committed the crime. Hercule Poirot, Superintendent Battle, Colonel Race, and Ariadne Oliver find themselves in a high-stakes environment where the victim is the host himself. The narrative follows these investigators as they analyze the bridge scores and the psychological profiles of the four suspects present at the table. The story unfolds as a classic locked-room style puzzle, relying on the interplay between the four distinct investigators and their contrasting methods of deduction.

Critics have long regarded this work as one of the most ingenious puzzles in the author's extensive bibliography. The Spectator famously praised it as the best mystery the author ever devised, highlighting the cleverness of the central premise. Readers appreciate the rare opportunity to see multiple iconic detectives collaborating to solve a single, complex case. The narrative is frequently cited for its tight pacing and the satisfying way the clues are distributed throughout the bridge game. This title remains a cornerstone of the genre, demonstrating the author's mastery of deception and logical construction.