'Are you happy? If not, consult Mr. Parker Pyne'...

The Advertisement appears in The Times every morning. Some Readers ignorer it. Some chuckle, and read on. And just a few make their way to Mr Parker Pyne's modest office, including

The Middle-aged wife

The Unappreciated Husband

The Discontented Soldier

The Beautiful Jewel Thief

The Bored Sahib...

and seven more unhappy people, bringing with them baffling and intriguing cases for the world's most unusual detective.