A cryptic notice in the local gazette invites the residents of Chipping Cleghorn to witness a murder at a private estate, setting off a chain of events that turns a parlor game into a genuine crime scene. When the lights fail at Little Paddocks at the appointed hour, the guests find themselves in the dark with a corpse, forcing the local police and the observant Jane Marple to untangle a web of hidden identities and long-standing grudges. The narrative operates as a classic whodunit, utilizing a third-person perspective that carefully guards the secrets of the household while highlighting the social dynamics of a post-war English village. The investigation relies on the meticulous collection of clues and the psychological deconstruction of the suspects' testimonies.

This novel remains a cornerstone of the golden age of detective fiction, frequently cited for its clever subversion of the traditional murder mystery tropes. The premise suggests a high level of narrative control, as the author balances a large cast of characters against a singular, highly specific inciting incident. Readers often point to the village setting as a vital component of the story, providing a sharp contrast to the violence that occurs within the walls of Little Paddocks. The work is characterized by its precise plotting and the subtle, sharp-witted observations of its protagonist, which continue to define the standard for the genre.