Philip Trent is tired of playing film detective Shelby James, thinking that the stories are tripe, and plans a vacation to get away from Hollywood. But on the ship he meets a mysterious young woman, then finds a body--then discovers that the whole affair was staged by Peter Dean, author of the Shelby James novels. But then Mr. Van Mier is found murdered in the same way and the Dragon diamond is missing. No matter what Philip tries to do, he finds himself involved with the crime and meddles his way through it looking for the killer and the diamond--with help from Peter Dean.