When the chairperson of a prestigious literary prize dies under suspicious circumstances, Robert Amiss must recruit the formidable Baroness 'Jack' Troutbeck to navigate a panel of eccentric judges while a killer systematically targets them. As the committee attempts to finalize their shortlist, the Baroness finds herself balancing the absurdity of modern literary criticism against the lethal threat lurking within their ranks. The narrative employs a sharp, observational tone, tracking the investigation through the lens of the British establishment's peculiar social hierarchies. Amiss and Troutbeck must decipher the motives of their peers before the prize committee is reduced to nothing.

This work is characterized by its biting wit and cynical examination of the British cultural elite. The narrative style suggests a focus on character-driven humor rather than traditional suspense, utilizing the literary prize setting to highlight the vanity of its subjects. Readers familiar with the series will likely appreciate the return of Robert Amiss and the introduction of the Baroness as a foil to the pretentious committee members. The book functions as a social critique disguised as a classic whodunit, maintaining a consistent tone of irreverence throughout the investigation.