Hercule Poirot takes a trip to the Middle East and takes on a case where an entire family all have motives for a murder

A tyrannical old martinet, a mental sadist and the incarnation of evil. These were only three of the character descriptions levelled at Mrs Boynton, the matriarch who kept her family totally dependent on her. But did she really deserve to die on the excursion to beautiful Petra?

Hercule Poirot is on a visit to the Middle East when he hears about the murder. He feels compelled to investigate - despite the family's request not to do so. Do they have something to hide and, if so, can they keep it hidden from this master sleuth?