When a shady Russian envoy traveling to the U.S. is murdered and a stash of jewels owned by White Russians is missing, Eleanor must assess the motives of privileged passengers, including a Russian ballerina emigree, and such real-life characters as Charles Lindbergh, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Benny, Henry Luce, Josephine Baker and a young John F. Kennedy.

While vacationing in South Carolina, Mrs. Roosevelt meets several Hollywood stars who all become suspects when a movie producer is found dead in his bedroom.