When General Fentiman dies in his armchair at the Bellona Club, a London club for war veterans, it seems like a natural death. But the timing of his death is crucial for the inheritance of his fortune, which depends on whether he or his sister died first. Lord Peter Wimsey, a witty and charming detective, is called to investigate the case and find out the exact time and cause of the General's death. He soon discovers that the General was poisoned with a heart medication, and that there are several suspects with motives and secrets. Wimsey must use his cleverness and intuition to unravel the mystery and expose the murderer, while also dealing with the unpleasantness of the club members and the aftermath of the Great War.