The plot draws extensively on Tey's experience in working with actors in her successful play Richard of Bordeaux, which was produced in London's West End in 1932-1933.

[1][2] The character Marta Hallard is believed to be based on actress Marda Vanne,[3] whose partner Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies was the leading lady in Richard of Bordeaux.

Like the character Christine Clay, Elizabeth MacKintosh left the bulk of her money to the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty.

[5] An early morning walker discovers the body of a woman, film star Christine Clay at the edge of the surf on a beach in Kent.

People hope she is the victim of a drowning accident, but the presence of a button tangled in her hair, and signs of struggle on her hands, lead Inspector Grant to conclude she has been murdered.

Grant’s suspicion quickly falls on her house guest, Robert Tisdall, who admits to having stolen Clay's car and then regretted it and returned to the beach.

Clay's identity is revealed when Jason Harmer, her songwriter, arrives at the cottage having tracked down its location from a clue in a letter he received from her.

The day before the murder, Clay wrote to her lawyer instructing him to add a codicil to her will bequeathing a small portion of her estate — a ranch in California and several thousand pounds — to Tisdall.

Grant tracks Gotobed to a monastery in Canterbury, not far from Clay's cottage, where he is on the point of being given control of a large amount of money as Prior to the brotherhood's Mexican mission.

Christine’s circle The novel was adapted for Young and Innocent (1937) directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Nova Pilbeam and Derrick De Marney.