In the quiet, little village of Chipping Cleghorn, an announcement in the local newspaper causes a stir among the residents. There is to be a murder in the home of Miss Blacklock that evening! As Miss Blacklock, her lodgers, and curious visitors begin to arrive, tensions mount and everyone wonders if it's all a silly joke. However, the victim proves to be an unexpected visitor and not Miss Blacklock or one of the villagers at all. With the arrival of Inspector Craddock, a murder investigation begins. Somewhat to his frustration, he is joined by amateur sleuth Miss Marple, who is always one step ahead. They reveal that Miss Blacklock is due to inherit a huge sum of money, but who would stand to gain from her murder? In a classic Agatha Christie tale of concealed identities, desperation, mixed motives, and another death, it takes a risky strategy to uncover the true identity of the murderer.