When the body of leading man Dwight Hardell is found on Stage 6, Abraham Rosenthal, owner of Superior Films is frantic at visions of negative press. Captain Smith, chief of detectives, is quickly on the case. Death by rapier is one thing, but when the gateman reports the film star left the studio after his time of death, it is clear there is a fascinating puzzle to unravel.

The Studio Murder Mystery was first published as a serial story in Photoplay Magazine in 1928-1929, then in book format in 1929. A movie version was released in 1929. The authors (Arlo Channing Edington and Carmen Edington) were married studio writers who infused their mystery novels with accurate details in production company lore.