Hercule Poirot is enjoying a well-deserved break on Smugglers Island and, through habit, paying close attention to his fellow holidaymakers. When glamorous actress Arlena Stuart is found strangled on the beach of a small cove Poirot becomes embroiled in a murder investigation. With his sharp observations, he discovers that nearly all the guests have connections to Arlena. But which of these suspects felt strongly enough about Arlena Stuart to kill her?