The discovery of a concubine's broken body at the base of a cliff triggers a series of calculated murders within a prominent Egyptian household. Renisenb, the daughter of a Ka-priest, struggles to reconcile the sudden violence with the stability of her family unit. As she observes the shifting loyalties and hidden resentments among her kin, she must determine if the killer is a stranger or someone living under her own roof. The narrative unfolds with a focus on domestic tension, utilizing a third-person perspective to examine the psychological unraveling of a family trapped by tradition and suspicion.

Critics have long praised this work for its ingenuity and its departure from the author's typical contemporary settings. Contemporary reviews from the Observer and the Evening Standard highlighted the novel's startling novelty and its surprising realism despite the ancient backdrop. Readers and reviewers alike note that the mystery remains as baffling and well-constructed as any of the author's more famous works. The narrative successfully balances historical atmosphere with the intricate puzzle-solving mechanics that define the author's legacy.