General Besserly is a retired American officer, formerly of the Secret Service, but now elegantly living on the French Riveria. He serves as a singular problem solver and savior of last resort for an assortment of young and old who have strayed from the straight and narrow. Solving the problems of inveterate gamblers, capturing notorious criminals, or working to fulfill the wishes of a dying Baroness, he works his magic, most often for beautiful young women.

The stories are short and intriguing. In particular the Butterfly in the Death Chamber is moving and elegant. Oppenheim paints a wonderful picture of life amid the upper class and royalty in France between the wars.