The shabby Vulcan theater is not where Martyn Tarne hoped to work when
she moved from New Zealand to London to pursue an acting career. But
Martyn takes a job as dresser to the Vulcan's leading lady. This
provides her with a ringside seat to the backstage circus: the aging
alcoholic actor, the waspish playwright, the surprisingly gracious
grande dame. There is, of course, a murder, so--enter Inspector Alleyn.