Chapter 1: Arrivals and Apprehensions
* A group of people arrives at the isolated manor of Monkshood on a stormy winter night. Guests include the enigmatic Judge Felix Hardcastle, the suspicious Miss Marple, and the anxious family members of the late Colonel Lucius Protheroe.
* Miss Marple senses an underlying tension and forebodes trouble.
Chapter 2: Family Tensions
* The family members of Colonel Protheroe are introduced:
* The widowed Lady Athelinda Protheroe, her son Dennis, and his wife, Gerda
* The ambitious Louisa Willard, the Colonel's cousin
* The troubled Eldred Protheroe, the Colonel's nephew
* Family tensions and secrets emerge, including a dispute over the Colonel's will.
Chapter 3: A Mysterious Death
* Colonel Protheroe is found dead in his library, stabbed to death.
* Inspector Narracott arrives to investigate and conducts preliminary inquiries.
* Miss Marple begins her own discreet observations.
Chapter 4: Suspects and Motives
* Narracott suspects Louisa Willard, as she stood to benefit financially from the Colonel's will.
* Miss Marple believes all the guests are suspects, each with their own motives.
* She uncovers a series of connections and hidden relationships among them.
Example: Miss Marple overhears a conversation between Louisa and Eldred, revealing a past love affair and Eldred's resentment towards the Colonel.
Chapter 5: Miss Marple's Investigations
* Miss Marple uses her knowledge of human nature and subtle observations to piece together the puzzle.
* She investigates the Colonel's study, discovers an unsigned letter, and suspects it may hold a clue.
* She also investigates the whereabouts of the guests during the time of the murder.
Example: Miss Marple notices that Gerda Protheroe's alibi is shaky, as she claims to have been knitting during the murder, but her knitting needles are missing.
Chapter 6: False Leads and Red Herrings
* The investigation takes several twists and turns, as false leads and red herrings emerge.
* Narracott pursues a line of inquiry involving a suspect outside the manor.
* Miss Marple uncovers a series of coincidences and unexplained events that seem connected to the murder.
Example: Miss Marple discovers that a strange, old woman has been haunting the manor, but her connection to the crime is unclear.
Chapter 7: The Truth Unveiled
* Miss Marple pieces together the evidence and reveals the identity of the killer.
* She uncovers a shocking truth about the victim's past and the motives behind the murder.
* Narracott confirms her suspicions and apprehends the perpetrator.
Example: Miss Marple reveals that Lady Athelinda was the killer, motivated by a secret affair and a desire to protect her family's reputation.
