Miss Marple and her nephew, novelist Raymond West, embark on a coach tour of historic English houses with an eclectic group of characters at the behest of a late friend who had knowledge of an unsolved murder.
A detestable businessman is murdered while at work, and a handful of rye is found in his pockets. Soon after, members of his household fall victim to a killer intent on recreating scenes from a popular nursery rhyme.
A village is plagued by a spate of seemingly accidental deaths, but Miss Marple is convinced a more sinister hand is involved when a villager on her way to Scotland Yard is conveniently dispatched.