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The story kicks off with Miss Marple suffering a minor accident and being tended to by a local woman named Heather Badcock. Heather shares a tale about meeting her idol, the American movie star Marina Gregg, years earlier. Marina and her husband, film producer Jason Rudd, have recently moved into Gossington Hall, previously owned by Miss Marple’s friend Mrs. Dolly Bantry. During a fête at Gossington Hall, Heather suddenly collapses and dies after consuming a poisoned daiquiri initially intended for Marina Gregg. The investigation begins under the eye of Detective Inspector Frank Cornish and is later handed over to Chief Inspector Dermot Craddock of Scotland Yard. Suspicion swirls around various characters including Marina's social secretary Ella Zielinsky, and several deaths follow Heather's, complicating the investigation. Miss Marple ultimately discovers that the murder was deeply personal. Heather Badcock had unknowingly infected Marina with German measles during their first meeting years before, leading to Marina's child being born disabled and resulting in her nervous breakdown. Overcome with rage upon realizing this connection, Marina poisoned the cocktail and orchestrated events to make herself seem like the intended victim to cover up her crime. Miss Marple, with her sharp observations and understanding of human nature, calls out Marina's actions. Marina, facing exposure, succumbs to an overdose, which might have been facilitated by her husband Jason to prevent further harm.