Josephine Temple has the most valuable stamp in the world, the Chinese Mandarin, and has come to New York to sell it to a collector. But before the deal is done, the $50,000 stamp is stolen, two people are murdered, and the police suspect Josephine! Inspector Queen must unravel these locked room mysteries, with young son Ellery smitten by Josephine underfoot. Detective father and son try to out-smart each other at every turn, while the bodies pile up around them.