Brian and Sheila Hamilton live in apparently affluent comfort; but in reality their marriage is breaking up. In fact, it would be considerably to Brian's advantage if Sheila were to die. His friend Gerry suggests a fool-proof method of bringing this about. The murder is carried out - and successfully - but it is not long before Brian realizes that, by putting himself in Gerry's power, he has indeed exchanged the frying-pan for the fire.