Sybil Foster, owner of one of the most elegant estates in the Upper Quintern, goes to the luxurious Renclod Hotel to rest and improve her health under the supervision of a doctor, where... she dies under unclear circumstances. Experts are unanimous: death was caused by a drug overdose. Did the eccentric lady deliberately leave her friends and relatives out of town to commit suicide? Moreover, as it turns out, she had plenty of motives for suicide - she was tormented by a debilitating illness, and her daughter refused to marry a suitable party. However, Chief Superintendent Roderick Alleyne doubts the case is so clear cut and feels he needs to dig deeper.