Charles Maither, a publicity agent, formerly an actor, is revisiting Durrington, a Midlands industrial town where, years before, he had worked in the local repertory company. Here in Durrington, he had fallen in love with Shirley, only to lose her when she married Paul King, another actor.

Charles and Paul became friends, and Charles recalls the story of Paul's rise to film stardom, with all its hopes, fears, business machinations - and treachery. And then suspicion of murder falls upon Charles.