AlavishweekendpartyseesMissMarpleaccompanyLadyVirginiaReveltoherfamilyhomeofChimneys-ahousewhichwasonceprizedforitsdiplomaticgatheringsuntilararediamondwasstolenfromthepremisesovertwentyyearsago.Thetenaciouscareerpolitician,GeorgeLomax,haspersuadedVirginia'sfather,LordCaterham,tohostaneveningforanimportantAustrianCount,LudwigVonStainach.Virginia,thedaughterofMissMarple'slatecousin,mustdecidebytheendoftheweekendwhethertoacceptamarriageproposalfromGeorgeLomaxortofollowherheartandthecourtshipofanothermoreadventuroussuitor,AnthonyCade.Dismayedbytheoddarrayofguests,includingsocialistspinsterMissBlenkinsopp,Caterham'sformidableeldestdaughterBundleandthequietlyinscrutablemaidservantTreadwell,LomaxcastigateshisaffableassistantBillEversleigh,whoalsohasasoftspotforVirginia.ItbecomesapparentthatCountLudwighastakenapersonalinterestinChimneysccc