It's the 1940s and Maggie Maxwell is frustrated her father won't let her join his successful detective agency. To prove herself, Maggie sneaks an invitation addressed to him to attend a publicity party at a remote mansion for a new detective novel, "Die, Swine! Die!" A group of PI's, her ex-boyfriend who's a newspaper reporter, and members of the dangerous Viola crime family also attend. Just as a group of actors are ready to play out a scene from the novel, they are interrupted. Gun-fire, a mysterious caretaker, the high-strung novelist, and a key witness create even more tension and mystery.