The sudden murder of wealthy patriarch Aristide Leonides within his sprawling, eccentric home triggers a desperate investigation into the secrets of his own family. Charles Hayward, the protagonist and fiancé to the victim's granddaughter, finds himself embedded within the household to assist the police investigation. He must navigate the complex, shifting loyalties of the Leonides family members, each of whom possesses a potential motive for the crime. The narrative unfolds through Charles's observant perspective, highlighting the claustrophobic tension of a family living under the same roof while harboring deep-seated resentments and hidden agendas.

This work is widely regarded as one of the author's most personal and chilling explorations of domestic malice. The narrative structure is frequently praised for its ability to subvert traditional mystery tropes through its focus on the moral decay of a single family unit. Readers often note the effectiveness of the setting, as the crooked house itself serves as a physical manifestation of the characters' twisted relationships. The conclusion remains a subject of discussion for its stark departure from typical genre resolutions, cementing the book's status as a distinct entry in the author's extensive bibliography.