A year after a woman dies at a dinner party, her husband recreates the exact event, only for another guest to collapse and die from the same poison. The protagonist, Colonel Race, navigates a complex web of social pretenses and hidden motives to identify the killer among the survivors. He must contend with the deceptive nature of the guests, each harboring secrets that complicate the investigation. The narrative employs a multi-perspective framework, allowing the reader to observe the psychological tension within the group as the investigation unfolds.

This novel is widely recognized as a quintessential example of the classic whodunit, praised for its intricate plotting and psychological depth. Readers often highlight the cleverness of the dual-death premise and the way Christie manages a large cast of suspects. The pacing is noted for its steady build, leading to a conclusion that challenges the reader's assumptions about the characters' motivations. It remains a staple of the genre, frequently cited for its ability to maintain suspense through dialogue and social observation rather than overt action.