A mid-series book in this long running English mystery series, Superintendent Roger West of Scotland Yard is called out of London to investigate some murders and odd goings on at a major printing company. He's a stranger who's unaware of the connections between various characters, including the small town's chief of police. There's danger, bravery, a bit of technical information about printing presses, not to mention kidnapping, and several red herrings, before the solution is finally uncovered.