In this mystery the plot centers around two households - the Fred Sackvilles of Birmingham and the Alfred Sackvilles of Brondesbury. How do they fit into the sudden death of John Ainsworth, estranged brother of Bertha Sackville? There seems little doubt that Alfred Sackville was on hand when Ainsworth died. But did he kill him, and if so, why? Alfred cannot be found to be questioned, and his mysterious disappearance brings added complications. In Fred Sackville and his wife Bertha; Josephine, Alfred's wife; Inspector Tom Fairford; and the inimitable Miss Wishe the authors have created finely drawn characters made real by plenty of good, natural dialogue. The plot is ingenious and the solution surprising. And apart from the mystery, Mr. and Mrs. Cole have given us a satirical glimpse of life as it is lived in a high-class quarter of Birmingham, and in a shabby-genteel house in a respectable London suburb. The story is rich in observation of character, and the murderer turns out to be a gentleman with a strong sense of humor.