The year is 1897.  Queen Victoria celebrates her Diamond Jubilee, William McKinley takes office in March in the White House and an era of enormous prosperity reigns on both sides of the Atlantic.  In America, post-Civil War Reconstruction has given way to Western expansion and the industrialized Gilded Age.  The economic recession of the previous four years in Omaha and the rest of the country is nearing its end as Klondike gold enters US coffers. For England, colonization in India and Hong Kong gives rise to the phrase that “the sun never sets on the British Empire.” Wealthy people from both nations celebrate with extravagant parties and elegant country retreats. 

A couple weeks ago Mr. and Mrs. White invited a mixed party of guests to spend a long weekend at their west Omaha estate.  Mr. White intended to use the time and visits to help him write his will. The visit ended both in irony and in tragedy.  Just after the clock struck two a gun shot pierced the night.  A few hours later Mr. White had been discovered dead in the kitchen, his body covered in blood. 

Now Inspector Brown summons all who were present to return to the house and clear themselves of the crime. It is not an easy trip to take.  Should you refuse, it will be taken as an admission of guilt.  To attend means a night in the house with a murderer -- or even the possibility of being accused of the murder yourself. 

There is only one way to discover the truth… or to conceal it.  All that remains is to find out which you hope it will be...