It centres on the investigation into the murder of the Lord Chancellor of England during an amateur production of Shakespeare's Hamlet, in which he plays Polonius, and other crimes which follow at the seat of the Duke of Horton, Scamnum Court.

Inspector John Appleby is called by the Government to investigate the fatal shooting of Lord Auldearn, theologian and Lord Chancellor of England during a private production of Hamlet at Scamnum Court, where he encounters novel technologies, eccentric personalities, espionage, intrigue, assassination and stolen biscuits.

[1] Quotes from Shakespeare set an ominous tone for the novel and are used as death threats to the Lord Chancellor and to open each part.

[1] The guests begin to arrive at the magnificent Scamnum Court as their hosts make the final preparations.

The Times Literary Supplement said: "Michael Innes is in a class by himself among writers of detective fiction".