A J.B. Priestly polemical drama that takes place in pre-WWII Brumley, Yorkshire. Inspector Goole is investigating the suicide of a young woman who worked for Arthur Birling, industrialist. Goole interrupts an engagement party for Sheila, Birling's daughter, in order to ask questions about various family members' relationships with the dead girl. The Birlings feign concern for the deceased but for the most part, they are too snobby or egotistical to care. Goole uncovers information that points over and over to much greater responsibility for the girl's death than any family member wants to face.