Having landed a small part in a new West End play, The Habit of Faith, Charles Paris is dismayed to discover that his good fortune has been orchestrated by his bête noire, the now-famous screen actor Justin Grover. But why has Grover become involved in this relatively obscure production and why has he roped in Charles to star? From the outset the production is fraught with difficulties and matters become even more complicated when a body is discovered at the foot of the dressing room stairs. Did they fall or were they pushed? As one of the last people to have seen the victim alive, Charles Paris is drawn into the ensuing investigation.