A murder investigation intertwines gamblers, travelers, suspicious relationships, and the changing custody of a dachshund in Monte Carlo.
Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases
Monte Carlo Entanglements
The visitors arrive in Monte Carlo with separate personal aims. Augie is a reformed gambler, Neil seeks a major win, and Phoebe and Julian travel with Napoleon.
Key Events
Monte Carlo Arrival — Several couples arrive in Monte Carlo and their lives begin to intersect. Characters: Augie Morosco, Neil Schwary, Phoebe, Julian PetersLocation: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Augie's Reformed Past — Augie is introduced as a reformed gambler visiting Monte Carlo. Characters: Augie MoroscoLocation: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Neil Seeks A Fortune — Neil arrives as a gambler hoping to strike it big. Characters: Neil SchwaryLocation: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Roman Meeting Recalled — Phoebe and Julian's earlier meeting in Rome establishes their connection. Characters: Phoebe, Julian PetersLocation: Rome
Napoleon's Return Mission — Phoebe and Julian attempt to return Napoleon to its wealthy owner. Characters: Phoebe, Julian PetersLocation: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Couples Intertwine — The visitors' personal lives become intertwined during the trip. Characters: Augie Morosco, Neil Schwary, Phoebe, Julian PetersLocation: Monte Carlo, Monaco
A Murder Changes Everything
The wealthy owner connected to Napoleon is found murdered. The visitors are drawn into an investigation as their interactions begin to look suspicious.
Key Events
Couples Intertwine — The visitors' personal lives become intertwined during the trip. Characters: Augie Morosco, Neil Schwary, Phoebe, Julian PetersLocation: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Murder Discovered — The wealthy owner of Napoleon is found murdered. Characters: Phoebe, Julian PetersLocation: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Investigation Begins — The murder investigation draws the visitors into a network of clues. Characters: Augie Morosco, Neil Schwary, Phoebe, Julian PetersLocation: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Suspicious Interactions — Interactions among Phoebe, Julian, and the other couples appear increasingly suspicious. Characters: Augie Morosco, Neil Schwary, Phoebe, Julian PetersLocation: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Augie Returns To Gambling — Augie temporarily abandons his reformed status and returns to gambling. Characters: Augie MoroscoLocation: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Gambling And Suspicion
Augie returns to gambling while Neil continues chasing a big win. Julian's conduct makes the group increasingly difficult to separate from the investigation.
Key Events
Augie Returns To Gambling — Augie temporarily abandons his reformed status and returns to gambling. Characters: Augie MoroscoLocation: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Neil Pursues The Stakes — Neil continues pursuing the possibility of a major gambling win. Characters: Neil SchwaryLocation: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Julian Becomes Suspicious — Julian's conduct during the investigation makes him increasingly suspicious. Characters: Julian Peters, PhoebeLocation: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Napoleon Is Sold — Julian sells Napoleon while the murder investigation continues. Characters: Julian Peters, PhoebeLocation: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Clues Converge — The connected visitors become linked to the investigation's developing clues. Characters: Augie Morosco, Neil Schwary, Phoebe, Julian PetersLocation: Monte Carlo, Monaco
The Dog Changes Hands
Julian sells Napoleon and later repurchases the dachshund. These actions intensify the suspicion surrounding Phoebe and Julian.
Key Events
Clues Converge — The connected visitors become linked to the investigation's developing clues. Characters: Augie Morosco, Neil Schwary, Phoebe, Julian PetersLocation: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Napoleon Is Repurchased — Julian repurchases Napoleon after selling the dachshund. Characters: Julian Peters, PhoebeLocation: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Shared Suspicions Intensify — The changing custody of Napoleon deepens suspicion around the travelers. Characters: Augie Morosco, Neil Schwary, Phoebe, Julian PetersLocation: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Gambling Complicates Events — Augie's relapse and Neil's ambitions add pressure to the intertwined lives. Characters: Augie Morosco, Neil SchwaryLocation: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Intertwined Lives Converge
The couples' separate complications converge within the murder investigation. The mystery reaches a climactic point before moving toward resolution.
Key Events
Gambling Complicates Events — Augie's relapse and Neil's ambitions add pressure to the intertwined lives. Characters: Augie Morosco, Neil SchwaryLocation: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Suspect Network Tightens — The murder investigation increasingly connects all four travelers. Characters: Augie Morosco, Neil Schwary, Phoebe, Julian PetersLocation: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Interwoven Lives Exposed — The investigation reaches the central knot of suspicious relationships and actions. Characters: Augie Morosco, Neil Schwary, Phoebe, Julian PetersLocation: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Investigation Reaches Closure — The intertwined murder mystery and personal complications reach their conclusion. Characters: Augie Morosco, Neil Schwary, Phoebe, Julian PetersLocation: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Story Breakdown
Monte Carlo Arrival — The main visitors enter Monte Carlo with separate personal goals.
Augie's Gambler Past — Augie is introduced as a reformed gambler.
Neil's Big Win — Neil arrives hoping to strike it big.
Roman Connection — Phoebe and Julian's prior meeting explains their connection during the trip.
Phoebe Meets Julian — They met each other in Rome.
Traveling With Napoleon — They travel together while attempting to return Napoleon.
Murder Investigation — A murder transforms the trip into an investigation.
Murder Discovered — The wealthy owner connected to Napoleon is found murdered.
Clues Surround Visitors — The visitors become involved as their lives intertwine.
Suspicion Escalates — Interactions among the travelers begin to appear increasingly suspicious.
Suspicious Interactions — Phoebe and Julian's interactions with the other couples draw attention.
Julian Under Suspicion — Julian's conduct becomes suspicious during the investigation.
Gambling Complications — The gamblers' behavior adds personal instability to the mystery.
Augie Relapses — Augie returns to gambling during the events.
Neil Chases Fortune — Neil continues trying to achieve a major gambling win.
Napoleon Changes Hands — Julian's changing control of the dog heightens the mystery.
Dog Is Sold — Julian sells Napoleon.
Dog Is Repurchased — Julian later repurchases Napoleon.
Intertwined Resolution — The separate personal complications converge within the murder investigation.
Lives Converge — The couples' lives become linked through the investigation.
Mystery Reaches Closure — The murder investigation and related complications reach their conclusion.
On their way to Monte Carlo, Monaco, Marilyn and her husband, Neil, meet several other married couples, including Julian and Phoebe, who are traveling with a lost dog they plan to return to its wealthy owner for a large reward. But, when the dog's mistress is murdered, the travelers become the prime suspects, and Inspector Bonnard is determined to track them all down.
