Join or Sign In
Sign in to customize your TV listings
By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.
12 Episodes 1984 - 1986
Episode 1
93 mins
When a young blonde is found strangled in the library of Gossington Hall, Dolly Bantry quickly calls in her old friend Miss Marple to help her with some sleuthing. They soon discover that the dead woman was a dancer from the glamorous Majestic Hotel, and decide to check themselves in there in order to observe the guests and solve the murder.
Episode 2
Miss Marple and Dolly Bantry investigate the millionaire Conway Jefferson and his entourage at a seaside hotel.
Episode 3
The identity of the killer is revealed, as is the dubious motive for the crime.
Episode 4
Gerry Burton had a successful career as a test pilot following his war service. He had an accident in his latest flight, and was severely injured in a crash landing. Some time later, he still walks with a cane. Gerry and his sister Joanna decide to move to the quiet village of Lymstock for the duration of his recuperation. They rent the luxurious house of Emily Barton, since the elderly owner is facing financial problems and is in need of the rent. Shortly after their arrival, the Burton siblings receive a poison pen letter that contains several misogynist remarks for Joanna. They learn that many persons in the village have received similar letters, accusing them of supposed sexual perversions. The amateur detective Jane Marple has been summoned by an old friend to investigate the case. Gerry befriends Megan Hunter, a 20-year-old woman who feels unloved and unwanted by her parents. The neurotic Angela Symmington (Megan's mother) receives a poison pen letter of her own and then is found dead by cyanide poisoning. The authorities blame the anonymous letter writer for her suicide, but Marple suspects that Angela was murdered. The recently hired maid Beatrice also feels that there was an odd detail about this "suicide", but is in need of a confidant to hear her suspicions.
Episode 4
Gerry Burton had a successful career as a test pilot following his war service. He had an accident in his latest flight, and was severely injured in a crash landing. Some time later, he still walks with a cane. Gerry and his sister Joanna decide to move to the quiet village of Lymstock for the duration of his recuperation. They rent the luxurious house of Emily Barton, since the elderly owner is facing financial problems and is in need of the rent. Shortly after their arrival, the Burton siblings receive a poison pen letter that contains several misogynist remarks for Joanna. They learn that many persons in the village have received similar letters, accusing them of supposed sexual perversions. The amateur detective Jane Marple has been summoned by an old friend to investigate the case. Gerry befriends Megan Hunter, a 20-year-old woman who feels unloved and unwanted by her parents. The neurotic Angela Symmington (Megan's mother) receives a poison pen letter of her own and then is found dead by cyanide poisoning. The authorities blame the anonymous letter writer for her suicide, but Marple suspects that Angela was murdered. The recently hired maid Beatrice also feels that there was an odd detail about this "suicide", but is in need of a confidant to hear her suspicions.
Episode 5
Beatrice plans to explain what she knows about Angela Symmington's murder to a former co-worker, but she is murdered herself within her employer's house. Her body is discover the following day by Megan Hunter. Megan suffers from the effects of the shock, but Gerry Burton helps her recover. Gerry starts falling for Megan, and decides to take her with him on his upcoming trip to London. The police find incriminating evidence at the office of Eryl Griffith (the local doctor's sister and assistant), and arrest her for a series of crimes. Jane Marple is convinced that they arrested the wrong person, but does not have enough evidence against the real killer. Later, Megan blackmails her stepfather Edward Symmington with claims that she knows how he managed to kill her mother. He agrees to compensate her for her silence, but later drugs her. At night, Edward attempts to murder his unconscious stepdaughter but is caught in the act. Marple had arranged for Megan's blackmail plan in order to force Edward to act. The police were waiting outside the house for the murder attempt. Edward had killed his wife because he was in love with a younger woman, and he killed Beatrice because she knew that nobody had delivered the poison pen letters in his house. The letters were already there because Edward had written them. He used the poison pen letters to incriminate several other people, and he planted the evidence in Eryl's office. Following Edward's arrest, Megan is left in the care of her new boyfriend.
Episode 5
Beatrice plans to explain what she knows about Angela Symmington's murder to a former co-worker, but she is murdered herself within her employer's house. Her body is discover the following day by Megan Hunter. Megan suffers from the effects of the shock, but Gerry Burton helps her recover. Gerry starts falling for Megan, and decides to take her with him on his upcoming trip to London. The police find incriminating evidence at the office of Eryl Griffith (the local doctor's sister and assistant), and arrest her for a series of crimes. Jane Marple is convinced that they arrested the wrong person, but does not have enough evidence against the real killer. Later, Megan blackmails her stepfather Edward Symmington with claims that she knows how he managed to kill her mother. He agrees to compensate her for her silence, but later drugs her. At night, Edward attempts to murder his unconscious stepdaughter but is caught in the act. Marple had arranged for Megan's blackmail plan in order to force Edward to act. The police were waiting outside the house for the murder attempt. Edward had killed his wife because he was in love with a younger woman, and he killed Beatrice because she knew that nobody had delivered the poison pen letters in his house. The letters were already there because Edward had written them. He used the poison pen letters to incriminate several other people, and he planted the evidence in Eryl's office. Following Edward's arrest, Megan is left in the care of her new boyfriend.
Episode 6
Thu, Feb 28, 1985
In the village of Chipping Cleghorn, a murder is announced in advance at the local newspaper. An exact date and time is given, and the location is the residence known as Little Paddocks. The villagers assume this is an announcement for a game, and several of them decide to visit the house and participate. The elderly house owner Letitia Blacklock is surprised, since she did not organize any game. Her four housemates and her cook also report that they did not invite anyone. As a small crowd gathers at the house, the lights suddenly go out. A masked man with a flashlight enters the room and tries to take the crowd hostage. Several shots are fired in the dark, with people unable to determine who is firing and from what direction. When the light returns, the masked man is dead and Letitia is bleeding from an ear wound. A gun is found next to the man's body. The police determine that the dead man was Rudi Scherz, a Swiss expatriate working as a hotel receptionist in the area. Rudi's girlfriend reports that he was a charming and generous man, though she suspected him of having stolen minor items at the hotel. The police learn that Rudi had a criminal record in Switzerland for petty theft and forgery, but had never committed any act of violence. Inspector Craddock questions all the eyewitnesses, who offer contradictory accounts. They all heard Rudi speaking, but nobody seems to agree on what were his exact words or his tone of voice. While most of the stories suggest that Rudi shot himself intentionally or by accident, Craddock finds himself questioning that narrative. He seeks help from Jane Marple, an elderly amateur sleuth who is vacationing at a local spa. Marple had briefly met Rudi, and his behavior reminded her of a charming petty thief who worked at her village. She points out that there is no evidence that Rudi ever owned a gun, or even touched the gun at the crime scene. Marple and Craddock determine that someone murdered Rudi and planted the weapon by his side. But they are uncertain of who could have done it, among the crowd of gathered people.
Episode 6
Thu, Feb 28, 1985
In the village of Chipping Cleghorn, a murder is announced in advance at the local newspaper. An exact date and time is given, and the location is the residence known as Little Paddocks. The villagers assume this is an announcement for a game, and several of them decide to visit the house and participate. The elderly house owner Letitia Blacklock is surprised, since she did not organize any game. Her four housemates and her cook also report that they did not invite anyone. As a small crowd gathers at the house, the lights suddenly go out. A masked man with a flashlight enters the room and tries to take the crowd hostage. Several shots are fired in the dark, with people unable to determine who is firing and from what direction. When the light returns, the masked man is dead and Letitia is bleeding from an ear wound. A gun is found next to the man's body. The police determine that the dead man was Rudi Scherz, a Swiss expatriate working as a hotel receptionist in the area. Rudi's girlfriend reports that he was a charming and generous man, though she suspected him of having stolen minor items at the hotel. The police learn that Rudi had a criminal record in Switzerland for petty theft and forgery, but had never committed any act of violence. Inspector Craddock questions all the eyewitnesses, who offer contradictory accounts. They all heard Rudi speaking, but nobody seems to agree on what were his exact words or his tone of voice. While most of the stories suggest that Rudi shot himself intentionally or by accident, Craddock finds himself questioning that narrative. He seeks help from Jane Marple, an elderly amateur sleuth who is vacationing at a local spa. Marple had briefly met Rudi, and his behavior reminded her of a charming petty thief who worked at her village. She points out that there is no evidence that Rudi ever owned a gun, or even touched the gun at the crime scene. Marple and Craddock determine that someone murdered Rudi and planted the weapon by his side. But they are uncertain of who could have done it, among the crowd of gathered people.
Episode 7
Inspector Craddock and Jane Marple separately question the various people involved in the murder of Rudi Scherz, and try to find out about their backgrounds. Rudi's girlfriend reports that Rudi was hired by a mysterious employer to take part in a fake hold-up, and that he was under the impression that it was part of an elaborate prank. Marple invites herself to stay with the vicar's wife, who is both one of Marple's nieces and one of the murder suspects. The injured woman, Letitia Blacklock, is only moderately wealthy. But she used to be the private secretary and right-hand-woman of a millionaire financier. She is first-in-line to inherit her employer's estate, when his elderly widow dies. The next-in-line after Letitia herself are the financier's estranged nephew and niece, whose whereabouts are unknown. The investigators learn that Letitia used to live alone, but that she acquired four housemates within the last year. The female gardener Phillipa Haymes (another of the murder suspects) rejects a marriage proposal by the young writer Edmund Swettenham, who is genuinely smitten with her. Colonel Archie Easterbrook (another murder suspect) finds out that his German pistol (a war souvenir) was stolen from his house, and that it may have been used in Rudi's murder. Miss Hinchcliffe (yet another of the murder suspects) contacts her own reenactment of the murder scene, and realizes that someone must have been standing behind Rudi when he opened the door to the room where everyone else was gathered. Dora "Bunny" Bunner, Letitia's best friend and housemate, confides some of her own suspicions and observations to Marple. Their conversation is interrupted by Letitia, who insists that Dora should follow her back home. Dora celebrates her birthday party with a gathering of all the murder suspects, but she is poisoned shortly after her party. Marple considered Dora to be completely innocent, but wonders who had motive to silence her.
Episode 7
Inspector Craddock and Jane Marple separately question the various people involved in the murder of Rudi Scherz, and try to find out about their backgrounds. Rudi's girlfriend reports that Rudi was hired by a mysterious employer to take part in a fake hold-up, and that he was under the impression that it was part of an elaborate prank. Marple invites herself to stay with the vicar's wife, who is both one of Marple's nieces and one of the murder suspects. The injured woman, Letitia Blacklock, is only moderately wealthy. But she used to be the private secretary and right-hand-woman of a millionaire financier. She is first-in-line to inherit her employer's estate, when his elderly widow dies. The next-in-line after Letitia herself are the financier's estranged nephew and niece, whose whereabouts are unknown. The investigators learn that Letitia used to live alone, but that she acquired four housemates within the last year. The female gardener Phillipa Haymes (another of the murder suspects) rejects a marriage proposal by the young writer Edmund Swettenham, who is genuinely smitten with her. Colonel Archie Easterbrook (another murder suspect) finds out that his German pistol (a war souvenir) was stolen from his house, and that it may have been used in Rudi's murder. Miss Hinchcliffe (yet another of the murder suspects) contacts her own reenactment of the murder scene, and realizes that someone must have been standing behind Rudi when he opened the door to the room where everyone else was gathered. Dora "Bunny" Bunner, Letitia's best friend and housemate, confides some of her own suspicions and observations to Marple. Their conversation is interrupted by Letitia, who insists that Dora should follow her back home. Dora celebrates her birthday party with a gathering of all the murder suspects, but she is poisoned shortly after her party. Marple considered Dora to be completely innocent, but wonders who had motive to silence her.
Episode 8
Dora "Bunny" Bunner was poisoned on her own birthday, the second victim of the mysterious killer. Letitia Blacklock mourns her death, as Dora was the last living connection to their shared past. Inspector Craddock asks to see Letitia's old photo album, in an effort to identify and locate the other potential heirs to the financier's estate. Several key photographs are missing from the album, likely stolen or destroyed. Miss Hinchcliffe and Miss Murgatroyd, an implied couple, are jointly trying to remember details from the night of Rudi Scherz's murder. Murgatroyd remembers an incriminating detail about a woman at the gathering, but their conversation is interrupted as Hinchcliffe has to tend to her dog. Murgatroyd is strangulated shortly later, without being able to identify the female killer. Letitia learns that her niece "Julia Simmons" is actually the long-lost heiress Emma Stamfordis, who is posing as the real Jula. She is dating Julia's brother. Julia herself does not know the whereabouts of her brother (and fellow heir) Pip, who she has not seen since they were infants. Shortlly later, "Pip" is identified as Phillipa Haymes. "Julia"/Emma's housemate and best friend. Everyone assumed that Pip was a boy, but they were clearly wrong. Craddock later gathers and questions all the murder suspects, and the cook identifies Letitia herself as the suspected killer. Shortly later, Letitia is caught in the act while trying to murder the witness. "Letitia" turns out to be an impostor, pretending to be the retired career woman. The real Letitia died in self-exile during World War II, and was replaced by her reclusive sister Charlotte Blacklock. Charlotte killed Rudi and Dora because they were both aware of her real identity. Charlotte wanted to inherit the financier's estate, and she was willing to kill whoever stood in her way. After Marple helps in the arrest of the serial killer, she attends Phillipa's wedding.
Episode 8
Dora "Bunny" Bunner was poisoned on her own birthday, the second victim of the mysterious killer. Letitia Blacklock mourns her death, as Dora was the last living connection to their shared past. Inspector Craddock asks to see Letitia's old photo album, in an effort to identify and locate the other potential heirs to the financier's estate. Several key photographs are missing from the album, likely stolen or destroyed. Miss Hinchcliffe and Miss Murgatroyd, an implied couple, are jointly trying to remember details from the night of Rudi Scherz's murder. Murgatroyd remembers an incriminating detail about a woman at the gathering, but their conversation is interrupted as Hinchcliffe has to tend to her dog. Murgatroyd is strangulated shortly later, without being able to identify the female killer. Letitia learns that her niece "Julia Simmons" is actually the long-lost heiress Emma Stamfordis, who is posing as the real Jula. She is dating Julia's brother. Julia herself does not know the whereabouts of her brother (and fellow heir) Pip, who she has not seen since they were infants. Shortlly later, "Pip" is identified as Phillipa Haymes. "Julia"/Emma's housemate and best friend. Everyone assumed that Pip was a boy, but they were clearly wrong. Craddock later gathers and questions all the murder suspects, and the cook identifies Letitia herself as the suspected killer. Shortly later, Letitia is caught in the act while trying to murder the witness. "Letitia" turns out to be an impostor, pretending to be the retired career woman. The real Letitia died in self-exile during World War II, and was replaced by her reclusive sister Charlotte Blacklock. Charlotte killed Rudi and Dora because they were both aware of her real identity. Charlotte wanted to inherit the financier's estate, and she was willing to kill whoever stood in her way. After Marple helps in the arrest of the serial killer, she attends Phillipa's wedding.
Episode 9
One morning, the wealthy financier Rex Fortescue arrives at his office in London in an obvious good mood. He offers flowers to his secretary, and privately laughs about some good news. Shortly later, his secretary finds him in agony. He is immediately hospitalized, but dies before receiving treatment. The autopsy reveals that the cause of death was taxine poisoning, and that he was likely poisoned while having breakfast at his home. A quantity of rye in found in Rex's jacket pocket, with no obvious explanation for it. The police investigators question Rex's staff both at the office and at his home. They learn that Rex had recently quarreled with his son and business associate Percival Fortescue, over a perceived decline in Rex's mental health. Rex also made efforts to reconcile with his estranged son Lance Fortescue, inviting him to rejoin the family firm after about a decade of self-exile. Rex's young wife Adele Fortescue is genuinely shocked with his death, and saddened when her lover starts avoiding her to evade suspicions. Adele is introduced to her stepson Lance (who is of similar age to her), and seems charmed with his behavior. Shortly later, Adele herself is poisoned to death. While the press is speculating about the ritual nature of the murders, Jane Marple realizes that the murders follow the details of the old nurseryt rhyme "Sing a Song of Sixpence". After the deaths of the king (Rex) and the queen (Adele), Marple realizes that the third murder will be that of a maid.
Episode 9
One morning, the wealthy financier Rex Fortescue arrives at his office in London in an obvious good mood. He offers flowers to his secretary, and privately laughs about some good news. Shortly later, his secretary finds him in agony. He is immediately hospitalized, but dies before receiving treatment. The autopsy reveals that the cause of death was taxine poisoning, and that he was likely poisoned while having breakfast at his home. A quantity of rye in found in Rex's jacket pocket, with no obvious explanation for it. The police investigators question Rex's staff both at the office and at his home. They learn that Rex had recently quarreled with his son and business associate Percival Fortescue, over a perceived decline in Rex's mental health. Rex also made efforts to reconcile with his estranged son Lance Fortescue, inviting him to rejoin the family firm after about a decade of self-exile. Rex's young wife Adele Fortescue is genuinely shocked with his death, and saddened when her lover starts avoiding her to evade suspicions. Adele is introduced to her stepson Lance (who is of similar age to her), and seems charmed with his behavior. Shortly later, Adele herself is poisoned to death. While the press is speculating about the ritual nature of the murders, Jane Marple realizes that the murders follow the details of the old nurseryt rhyme "Sing a Song of Sixpence". After the deaths of the king (Rex) and the queen (Adele), Marple realizes that the third murder will be that of a maid.
Episode 10
While the authorities are transferring the corpse of Adele Fortescue, they are already aware that she died due to the cyanide in her tea. Minutes later, the corpse of the third victim is discovered. The maid Gladys Martin has been strangulated in the house's garden. Her body is found in a kneeling position, with her hands tied and a clothing peg on her nose. Gladys' former employer Jane Marple is already waiting outside the house, willing to offer her services to the police. She had predicted Gladys' murder. Marple reports that Gladys was an orphan girl which she hired from an orphanage and personally trained to be a servant. Gladys was never particularly bright, and had spend much of her life as a victim. Boys and men found Gladys unattractive and mostly ignored her, while other girls repeatedly took advantage of her. The young woman had several unfulfilled dreams. While examining Gladys' room, Marple finds reading material on so-called truth drugs and a handwritten message from Gladys' secret lover. Elsewhere in the house, Lance Fortescue explains to his wife Pat that he hates the idea of accepting a desk job at the family firm, but that he is facing severe financial problems. Pat Fortescue explains to Marple that the luxurious residence of Rex Fortescue displays an illusion of wealth. Many of the seemingly expensive furniture and valuable paintings are actually cheap knock-offs. The brothers Percival and Lance Fortescue negotiate over their share in the family firm, and Percival offers to Lance their father's under-performing investments in Africa. Lance reluctantly takes the offer, but he is actually very happy. He knows something about these investments that Percival does not. Shortly later, Lance asks the permission of the police to leave for a business trip in France. He gets the permission of the police, but Marple soon explains to the local inspector that Lance is actually trying to flee the country. Lance finds himself in a car chase with a police vehicle. He was Gladys' secret lover and had convinced her to add the poison to his father's food, by telling her it was a truth drug which would convince Rex to confess his past crimes. While in the car, Lance confesses his own crimes to his wife and claims that he did them all for her. Pat is horrified, and Lance abandons her. He is killed moments later in a car accident, while still trying to escape the police car. Marple soon explains why Lance was interested in his father's investments in Africa. Over the last year or so, Rex had acquired several seemingly useless areas in Africa. He was actually about to claim sole ownership over a valuable resource of uranium ore in these areas. He had no intention of sharing the wealth with his sons. Lance knew about it and decided to act to in order to claim ownership over the uranium. With Lance's death, Percival is left in full control over the family firm. Though his personal life is not about to improve. Marple questions Percival's wife Jennifer, learning that she is about to leave her husband because she is fed up with his increasingly cold and cruel behavior. Marple leaves the Fortescue residence to return to her village.
Episode 10
While the authorities are transferring the corpse of Adele Fortescue, they are already aware that she died due to the cyanide in her tea. Minutes later, the corpse of the third victim is discovered. The maid Gladys Martin has been strangulated in the house's garden. Her body is found in a kneeling position, with her hands tied and a clothing peg on her nose. Gladys' former employer Jane Marple is already waiting outside the house, willing to offer her services to the police. She had predicted Gladys' murder. Marple reports that Gladys was an orphan girl which she hired from an orphanage and personally trained to be a servant. Gladys was never particularly bright, and had spend much of her life as a victim. Boys and men found Gladys unattractive and mostly ignored her, while other girls repeatedly took advantage of her. The young woman had several unfulfilled dreams. While examining Gladys' room, Marple finds reading material on so-called truth drugs and a handwritten message from Gladys' secret lover. Elsewhere in the house, Lance Fortescue explains to his wife Pat that he hates the idea of accepting a desk job at the family firm, but that he is facing severe financial problems. Pat Fortescue explains to Marple that the luxurious residence of Rex Fortescue displays an illusion of wealth. Many of the seemingly expensive furniture and valuable paintings are actually cheap knock-offs. The brothers Percival and Lance Fortescue negotiate over their share in the family firm, and Percival offers to Lance their father's under-performing investments in Africa. Lance reluctantly takes the offer, but he is actually very happy. He knows something about these investments that Percival does not. Shortly later, Lance asks the permission of the police to leave for a business trip in France. He gets the permission of the police, but Marple soon explains to the local inspector that Lance is actually trying to flee the country. Lance finds himself in a car chase with a police vehicle. He was Gladys' secret lover and had convinced her to add the poison to his father's food, by telling her it was a truth drug which would convince Rex to confess his past crimes. While in the car, Lance confesses his own crimes to his wife and claims that he did them all for her. Pat is horrified, and Lance abandons her. He is killed moments later in a car accident, while still trying to escape the police car. Marple soon explains why Lance was interested in his father's investments in Africa. Over the last year or so, Rex had acquired several seemingly useless areas in Africa. He was actually about to claim sole ownership over a valuable resource of uranium ore in these areas. He had no intention of sharing the wealth with his sons. Lance knew about it and decided to act to in order to claim ownership over the uranium. With Lance's death, Percival is left in full control over the family firm. Though his personal life is not about to improve. Marple questions Percival's wife Jennifer, learning that she is about to leave her husband because she is fed up with his increasingly cold and cruel behavior. Marple leaves the Fortescue residence to return to her village.
Episode 11
51 mins
Colonel Protheroe, the local magistrate, has been murdered - shot - in the vicarage. His wife, Ann, was having an affair with Lawrence Redding and Mr Redding almost immediately confesses to the crime. Mrs Protheroe does the same but neither could have done it - Miss Marple witnessed their comings and goings from the vicarage that fateful day.
Episode 12
48 mins
Both Inspector Slack and Miss Marple put their respective plans into action to unmask Colonel Protheroe's killer. Christopher Hawes reports that he's been hearing voices, but has he perhaps heard something that he shouldn't have?