Possibly the most unusual mystery ever written. A murder is committed, behind closed doors, in bizarre circumstances. Three amateur detectives take the case: Lord Simon Plimsoll, Monsieur Amer Picon, and Monsignor Smith (in whom discerning readers will note likeness to some familiar literary figures). Each arrives at his own brilliant solution, startling in its originality, ironclad in its logic. Meanwhile Sergean Beef sits contemptuously in the background. "But," says Sergean Beef, "I know who done it!"

Leo Bruce is a pseudonym for Rupert Croft-Cooke (1903-1979). Under this name, Bruce wrote several mystery novels. He created two series, one which featured Sergeant Beef, a British police officer, and one that features Carolus Deane, a schoolteacher who acts as an amateur sleuth. Most of his books are out of print now. Croft-Cooke also wrote some books under his own name, including a collection of short stories entitled Pharaoh and His Waggons and Other Stories.