The young talented artist Troy, the wife of Scotland Yard inspector Roderick Alleyn, knew very well what gossip was circulating about the famous theater actor Sir Henry Ancred, whose portrait she was going to paint. But to die under mysterious circumstances immediately after a formal dinner is perhaps too extravagant even for a stage genius. Troy is absolutely sure: there was a murder here. But which of the many members of Sir Henry's family is the murderer? After all, in essence, everyone present had a motive to get rid of him. And the opportunity to commit a crime, too! Troy can’t cope alone. And then she has to call on her husband for help and conduct an investigation with him.