[1] It was published in the United States by Dodd, Mead under the alternative title The Case of Sonia Wayward.

[2] It is an inverted detective story with comedy elements, with the focus on the murderous protagonist.

It was one of several standalone novels by Innes, who was best known for his series featuring the Golden Age detective John Appleby.

Maurice Richardson writing in The Observer felt it "rather light for a suspense story but most pleasingly written."

However, well-practiced in her style of writing, he continues to produce her novels to considerable success.