Published during the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, it is set in the British film industry where Fen has been employed as a historical advisor on The Unfortunate Lady, a biopic of the English poet Alexander Pope.

[3] Young, ambitious actress Gloria Scott commits suicide by throwing herself off Waterloo Bridge into the Thames, which appears baffling given that she has just been cast in a breakthrough part in the latest historical film being produced.

Fen's friend Inspector Humbleby of Scotland Yard travels to the film studios on the rural outskirts of the capital.

Maurice was the brother of celebrated actress Madge Crane, the studio's leading star, and Nicholas, the film's director.

He becomes convinced that the remaining Cranes are also under threat, particularly when it becomes clear that Madge had persuaded Nicholas to have Gloria removed from the production due to her jealousy of her, something that apparently drove her impulsively to suicide in her disappointment.