When a young actress dies by apparent suicide, a quirky don is drawn into a web of studio intrigue and murder. Gervase Fen, a Cambridge don with a penchant for detection, finds himself investigating the death of Gloria Scott, an actress who has seemingly thrown herself from Waterloo Bridge. The circumstances quickly become suspicious as evidence of her identity is removed from her apartment and a cameraman who might have known too much is poisoned. Fen must navigate the closed world of a film studio to uncover the truth behind the staged suicide and prevent further deaths.

The premise sets up a classic Golden Age mystery with a humorous twist, characteristic of Edmund Crispin's work. The comparison to Agatha Christie and P.G. Wodehouse suggests a blend of clever plotting and witty dialogue. Readers can expect a lighthearted yet intricate puzzle, focusing on the eccentricities of the characters and the closed-off environment of a film studio. The narrative likely prioritizes intellectual deduction and comedic interludes over graphic violence.