On the outskirts of the town of Mexbridge lies Firtholm, a new village for the more discerning retiree, designed by Joshua Benton's housing firm at competitive rates. Marcus Poland has a proposition for Benton - a new social centre for Firtholm, to be called the 'Ace of Clubs'. One of the first activities organised by Poland on behalf of the new club is a 'flag day' in aid of Mexbridge Cottage Hospital, in which the Club's members wander the streets of Firtholm in fancy dress, collecting money for the good cause, before assembling at the Club for a masked ball. But when the fundraiser ends in tragedy, the local Superintendent of police is compelled to call for help from Scotland Yard, and Detective-Inspector Curtis Burke is soon faced with another baffling case...

Originally published in 1939, this is a vintage murder mystery from the golden age of crime fiction.