The story takes place during World War II. The clock rings in a New Year at midnight just as someone is murdered. There are more than a few unlikeable personalities running around within this book. It almost makes the reader wish they would all get picked by the police just for being the nerve-racking menaces which they are.

A party takes place on New Year's Eve. A house holiday celebration. A budding romance. A murder at midnight. A room full of sour relations who are suspects. Although the mystery is a typical spin-off of classic murderous fiction, the plot is well written in the Wentworth style. Eventually, the services of Miss Silver are called in. She has her hands full with a room full of suspects, all of whom have a motive for murder.