The villagers of Chipping Cleghorn are agog with curiosity when the Gazette advertises: "A murder is announced and will take place on Friday, October 29th, at Little Paddowcks at 6:30 p.m." A childish practical joke? Or a spiteful hoax? Unable to resist the mysterious invitation, the locals arrive at Little Paddocks at the appointed time when, without warning, the lights go out and a gun is fired. When the lights come back on, a gruesome scene is revealed. An impossible crime? It's up to Miss Marple to get the scoop.