The mystery novel begins as a patient reads a newspaper headline: PROMINENT ST. LOUIS DOCTOR SHOT TO DEATH IN DOUBLE KILLING. The patient asks, "Why would anyone kill such a wonderful doctor?"
As the story evolves to answer this question, a number of persons become possible suspects. In the middle of the story, there is another murder, and the plot grows more complicated.
In addition to the suspense of the murder mystery, the interest of the reader is held by the strong character of Dr. Don Magill, a hospital administrator, and his love for Carol Desmond, a nurse at Mercy Hospital.