A series of troubles interferes with the work of one of London's largest art galleries: a damaged painting is followed by the mysterious murder of the manager. A web of intrigue entwines the family of the gallery owner, and it will be up to his young daughter and 90-year-old mother, the last representative of the Victorian era, to unravel it. The Palinode family, known in society for its extravagance, this time attracted attention with suspicious deaths. Detective Albert Campion will have to deal not only with two poisonings, but also with anonymous letters, attacks and a disappearing coffin...