A series of natural and accidental deaths causes the thirteenth Duke of Exeter to become a recluse and fear that he will be next to die. Each time he experiences chest pains, his doctor accuses him of imagining them or becoming a hypochondriac and his children are certain he is overreacting or, even worse, entering senility. The arrival of his dear friends the world-famous Faison Quay VI, and Dr. Stark Redfearne affords His Grace the opportunity to confide his fears to his guests and enlist their help in proving him correct. Faison calls upon his wits and wealth to unravel the seemingly unrelated deaths and solve, before it is too late, why His Grace The Duke of Exeter's friends are dying One By One.