The crime took place at the height of World War II on the New Zealand coast, where someone had plainly been helping the Germans sink British ships. The murderer had lured his victim into a pool of boiling mud at a run-down spa. The victim was suspected by many of being a German agent. But he was so unpleasant that he could have been killed for many reasons. Among those who could have done it were several dubious Englishmen and a whole village of Maoris, none of whom were sorry that the victim was dead

The setting is idyllic.....a luxury island mansion in an unspoilt New Zealand wilderness. The party-goers are glamorous....they include a world-famous opera soprano, her millionaire 'companion', the artistic elite of three continents - and the distinguished detective, Alleyn of The Yard.