It was the match-up of the century: four sleuths - Superintendent Battle of Scotland Yard; Mrs. Ariadne Oliver, famed writer of detective stories; Colonel Race of His Majesty's Secret Service; and the incomparable Hercule Poirot - invited to play bridge with four specially invited guests, each of whom has gotten away with murder! For the host, the mysterious Mr. Shaitana, it was to be a clever entertainment. But before the first rubber was completed,...

The placid village of Lymstock seems the perfect place for Jerry Burton to recuperate from his accident under the care of his sister, Joanna. But soon a series of vicious poison-pen letters destroys the village's quiet charm, eventually causing one recipient to commit suicide. The vicar, the doctor, the servants -- all are on the verge of accusing one another when help arrives from an unexpected quarter. The vicar's houseguest happens to be none other...

"Luke Fitzwilliam does not believe Miss Pinkerton's wild allegation that a multiple murderer is at work in the quiet English village of Wychwood, and that her local doctor is next in line. But within hours, Miss Pinkerton has been killed in a hit-and-run car accident. Mere coincidence? Luke is inclined to think so--until he reads in the Times of the unexpected demise of Wychwood's Dr. Humbleby ..."--P. [4] of cover.