Victoria Van Allen is something of a riddle for her neighbour, Chester Calhoun. Known as Vicky Van to her friends, she is somewhat avant-garde but respected nonetheless. When a millionaire is stabbed to death at one of her famed dinner parties, she flees the scene before the police can be contacted, unwittingly placing herself at the centre of their investigation. As it is discovered that the deceased had ties to Vicky's past, and detective Fleming Stone is called in to bring her to justice, Chester grapples with his affection for Vicky and his moral obligation to the police. Inventive, taut, and rational, this novel is ideal for fans of writers like Arthur Conan Doyle.