John Danes, a 'generalist', who does all sorts of strange jobs for all kinds of peculiar people, is about to set off to Idlewyld House, former home of the late Harriet Landrigan - the most famous and bestselling romantic novelist the world has ever known - when a strange man knocks at his door. This stranger knows that John is expected at Idlewyld House, although he won't say how he knows. When asked who he is, he says only 'I am the murderer', and then he disappears. Arriving at Idlewyld House, John asks if he has been summoned to solve a murder and is assured that nothing of the sort has happened. Then one of the other guests is found dead at the bottom of the stairs.