The novel tells the story of Frank Chambers, a young drifter who gets a job at a rural diner run by an older man named Nick Papadakis and his young wife Cora.
Frank is immediately attracted to the sensual Cora, and they begin a passionate affair. Desperate to escape her unhappy marriage, Cora persuades Frank to help her kill Nick and inherit the diner business . Their first attempt fails, only injuring Nick. When Nick recovers and begs Frank to return to work, the lovers make another attempt and succeed in murdering him.
However, the district attorney suspects foul play. A clever lawyer named Katz takes their case, but shifting loyalties, insurance policies, false confessions, and blackmail complicate matters.
Frank and Cora face unforeseen consequences as their trust in each other erodes, ultimately turning against one another.

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