Lucy Crale hires Poirot to solve the murder of her father sixteen years before, and Poirot finds a number of possible suspects who are still alive.

Young Elinor Carlisle, engaged to marry the dashing Roddy Winter, finds herself charged with the fatal poisoning of Mary Gerrard, her rival in love. Poirot has the job of saving Elinor, but the evidence against her is overwhelming.

Poirot is spending a week-end with the Angkatells, at their country house called The Hollow.