Colonel Lucius Protheroe was the magistrate of St. Mary Mead and owner of Old Hall. An older and pompous man, he made many enemies in St. Mary Mead, and became angry and suspicious at one in particular because of embezzlement of church funds. Protheroe's wife is the much younger Anne Protheroe, also stepmother to his teenage daughter, Lettice. Lettice is a young woman who simply wants freedom from her father. When Colonel Protheroe is found dead in the vicar's study, Lettice tries to place blame on her hated stepmother. It is discovered during the investigation of the murder that silver also has been stolen from Old Hall. Head gardener at Old Hall was Mr. Briggs, whom was over three other men and a boy.
Many years later, Old Hall is split into four flats (apartments). The inhabitants of these flats have their jewelry stolen and it's up to Jane Marple to uncover the thieves.