When Tessa Crichton goes down to the rotunda theatre in Dorset, she is not only looking forward to acting in one of the most successful repetory companies in the country but also to meeting it's inspiring owner, Elfrieda Henshaw, who is confined to a wheelchair. She finds, however, that the whole cast has been upset by Elfrieda's young protege Melanie, who seems to have an undue influence on their mentor and yet is clearly a juvenile delinnquent. When Melanie disappears, Tessa and the and the others are convinced she has stolen much of the theatre's cash - but could she also be responsible for Elfrieda's sudden and mysterious death?