Newly arrived from New Zealand and in need of funds Martyn Tarne takes a job as a dresser to the Vulcan theaterrsquos leading lady This provides her with a ringside seat to the backstage circus and the eventual murder that occurs on opening night Inspector Alleyn is soon called to solve the murder and inject a needed dose of pragmatism but the novelrsquos greatest pleasure lies in the characterizations of the theatrical ldquotypesrdquo Ngaio Marsh knew so well
