Paul Renauld knows he will soon be murdered. But after frantically reaching out to Hercule Poirot for help, by the time Poirot and Hastings arrive it is too late. Renauld's body was just discovered next to a newly dug grave in the adjacent golf course. His wife relates that masked men broke into their villa at 2 a.m., tied her up, and took her husband. ¶ Spurious motives and nefarious histories come to light, as Poirot peels back each elusive layer with fastidious aplomb.