Clarissa Hailsham-Brown, a woman prone to vivid flights of fancy, finds her imaginative musings turned into a terrifying reality when she discovers a corpse in her drawing room. Faced with the sudden appearance of a dead body, Clarissa must navigate the precarious social landscape of her diplomat husband's home while attempting to conceal the evidence from the authorities. The narrative unfolds as a high-stakes farce, where the protagonist's desperate attempts to protect her household collide with the rigid expectations of her guests and the looming threat of police investigation. The play utilizes a confined setting to heighten the tension, forcing the characters into a series of increasingly absurd and dangerous deceptions.

This work is widely regarded as a quintessential example of Christie’s ability to blend suspense with lighthearted theatrical comedy. The play is frequently noted for its focus on character-driven humor rather than the intricate puzzle-solving found in her traditional detective novels. Critics often highlight the central role of Clarissa as a vehicle for exploring the absurdity of social performance in the face of crisis. The narrative structure suggests a deliberate departure from the darker themes of her other works, favoring a tone that remains playful even as the stakes rise. The play continues to be a staple in regional theater repertoires due to its accessible humor and tight, character-focused pacing.