Everyone in Ackroyd's household falls under Poirot's scrutiny, from his sister-in-law to the butler; and no one can explain the sudden disappearance of young Ralph, who had the most to gain from the death of his adoptive father. Poirot and Japp set out to expose a tangled web of blackmail, envy, and murder. Will Poirot succeed in uprooting his late friend's murderer?