Set in London in the fifties the play tells the absorbing story of Margot Wendice, the wealthy wife of ex tennis star Tony. Margot has had an affair with Max Halliday, but has decided to stay with her husband. A love letter from Max is stolen from her handbag and she is blackmailed by an unknown person. An attempt on her life goes disasterously wrong and she is arrested for murder and as the evidence stacks up against her she is found guilty and sentenced to hang. Can she be saved? Should she be saved? Who can help her? As the plot deepens the final scene brings out the chilling truth.
Frederick Knott`s play was adapted for the big screen by Alfred Hitchcock, the master of suspense, starring Grace Kelly, Ray Miland and Robert Cummings.