In the early morning of New Year's Day, Inspector Morse was called to the Howard Hotel to investigate a murder. The body of the murdered man was still dressed in the costume of the Caribbean man who had brought him victory at the masquerade competition; his companion and other guests managed to run away. This mystery is not easy even for Morse, but like a pit bull, he will tightly grab the truth by the throat and shake until he shakes out all the details of the bloody crime.