Campion, getting away from it all, visits his friend Belle Lafcadio, a rich art collector. Trouble begins with murder at an exhibition of pictures by a dead artist. First one body turns up, then another... and the identity of one of the departed comes as something of a surprise.

Campion is convinced that a third murder is imminent. The inquest into the death of Claire Potter reveals that she died from nicotine poisoning.

Campion is drawn into the family feuds besetting the Golden Quill publishing business. One of the Barnabas family, who own the company, is found dead, leaving Campion's friend, Mike Barnabas, as the chief suspect.

Campion is determined to prove the innocence of his friend Mike Barnabas, arrested for the murder of Paul Brande, but in trying to do so he puts his own life in jeopardy.