A Murder is Announced in a small-town paper advertisement-and Miss Marple must unravel the fiendish puzzle when a crime will indeed occur.

The villagers of Chipping Cleghorn are agog with curiosity when the Gazette advertises “A murder is announced and will happen on Friday, October 29th, at Little Paddocks at 6.30 p.m.”

A childish practical joke? Or a spiteful hoax? Unable to resist the inexplicable invitation, the local people arrive at Small Paddocks in the appointed period when, without warning, the lights go out and a gun is fired. If they come back on, a gruesome scene is exposed. An impossible criminal offense? Only Miss Marple can unravel it.