Well-known mystery writer Ariadne Oliver organizes a Murder Hunt as the main event at the Fete held on the grounds of Nasse House. Every detail is arranged -- and the stage is set for murder. Suspecting that something isn't quite right Ariadne Oliver telephones her old friend, Hercule Poirot, for help. Whilst organizing a mock murder hunt for the village fete hosted by Sir George and Lady Stubbs, a feeling of dread settles on the famous crime novelist Adriane Oliver. Call it instinct, but it's a feeling she just can't explain or get away from. In desperation she summons her old friend, Hercule Poirot, and her instincts are soon proved correct when the 'pretend' murder victim is discovered playing the scene for real, a rope wrapped tightly around her neck. But it's the great detective who first discovers that in murder hunts, whether mock or real, everyone is playing a part. - Publisher. Marlene Tucker's body was found behind a door locked from the inside! There were no clues to point to her killer. But detective Hercule Poirot knew that the motive behind this brutal murder lodged with one of these people: a wife with a gorgeous body and no brains, a jealous secretary in love with her boss, a phony aristocrat with a wad of dough to pave his way, a widow who knew plenty and said nothing, a handsome architect on the make for women and money. Then came the second murder! - p. [i].