Chapter 1: The Advertising Manager
Paul Pennyfeather, the advertising manager for Pym's Publicity, is found dead in his office, his head bashed in with a blunt object. Lord Peter Wimsey, a renowned detective, is called in to investigate.
Chapter 2: The Suspects
Wimsey interviews the staff of Pym's Publicity, including the office manager, Miss Hilary Audley, and the staff writer, Mervyn Bunter. He also meets the company's owner, Richard Pym, and his daughter, Venetia Pym. Wimsey discovers that Pennyfeather was a disliked individual, and several people had motives to kill him.
Chapter 3: The Clues
Wimsey examines the crime scene and finds several clues, including a bloody footprint and a torn piece of paper. He also discovers that Pennyfeather had been working on a controversial advertising campaign for a new soap product.
Chapter 4: The Motive
Wimsey investigates the advertising campaign and discovers that Pennyfeather had threatened to expose a secret about the soap product. This revelation leads him to suspect that the company's owners may be involved in the murder.
Chapter 5: The Confession
After further investigation, Wimsey confronts Hilary Audley with his suspicions. Audley confesses that she killed Pennyfeather in a fit of rage after he threatened to ruin her reputation. She reveals that the soap product contained a harmful ingredient that could cause skin irritation, and Pennyfeather had used this knowledge to blackmail the company.
Chapter 6: The Aftermath
Wimsey arrests Audley and exposes the truth about the soap product. Pym's Publicity is forced to recall the product and compensate the customers who were affected. Venetia Pym, who had been unaware of the conspiracy, is devastated by the news. Wimsey helps her to rebuild her life and find a new direction.
