Twin brothers John and George Danes, 'The Generalists', who do all sorts of strange jobs for all kinds of peculiar people, are about to set off to Idlewyld House, former home of the late Harriet Landrigan - the most famous and bestselling romantic novelist the world has ever known - when a strange man arrives at their door. This stranger knows the twins are expected at Idlewyld House, although he won't say how he knows. When asked who he is, he says only 'I am the murderer', and then he disappears. Arriving at Idlewyld House, John and George ask if they have been summoned to solve a murder and are assured that nothing of the sort has happened. Then one of the other guests is found dead at the bottom of the stairs.
