Marpleisvisitinganoldschoolfriend,LadyCamillaTressilian,alongwithaneclecticgroup:NevilleStrangeandhiswifeKay,hisformerwifeAudreyandherchildhoodfriendandcousinThomasRoyde,TedLatimerandfinallyFreddieTreves,aretiredsolicitor.WhenTrevesisfounddeadthedayafteradinnerpartyatLadyTressilianshomeandLadyTressilianherselfisfoundbludgeonedtodeathashorttimelater,MissMarplemustsortthroughthecomplexsetofrelationshipsamongalltheplayers,anddeterminewhatrolethetaleofachildscrimemayhavehadtoplayinthedeaths.