Philippa Shelley's operatic debut at Covent Garden was a tremendous success; her new fans jammed the wings to congratulate her. Walking slowly to Philippa's dressing room, Nicholas Talbot, her husband and manager, waited nervously to tell her what he had just learned—that an American tour was imminent, their future assured...

But only seconds later, Nick's future was twisted from his hands with the appearance of Elizabeth Rusman, a violinist with the orchestra. Philippa discovers that Elizabeth was at one time Nick's mistress, now intent on renewing the relationship. As they arrive home, a fierce husband and wife quarrel breaks out, during which Nick receives a cut on his head and rushes angrily into the night.

Instead of his return, Philippa is greeted by two police officers who tell her that her husband has been detained for questioning in connection with Elizabeth Rusman's murder.

She learns with horror that a great weight of circumstantial evidence is building up against Nick; the police are sure they have caught their man. She alone is certain of his innocence, and sets out to prove it while Nick's trial grimly proceeds. As she gets nearer and nearer to the astounding truth, Philippa discovers with mounting terror that she is placing her own life in acute danger...