A rich childless widower gets his affairs in order; makes the Sloan his executor; and tries to kill himself but fails. 4 days later he dies in the Southport hospital due to malpractice it would appear. This soon evolves into murder and more. John Putnam Thatcher solves the mystery on behalf of the Sloan after much incisive and witty talk, typical of Emma Lathen's deft writing.