Summary
Newlyweds Mollie and Giles Ralston decide to turn Mollie's inherited Monkswell Manor in Berkshire into a guesthouse. The two worry about being inexperienced hosts and want the manor to look perfect. They spent the entire morning outside Berkshire running errands.
Mollie turns on the radio as they prepare to greet their guests. The announcer reports a murder on Culver Street in Paddington, noting that witnesses heard someone whistling "Three Blind Mice" and saw a figure in a dark coat, light scarf, and hat—just like what Giles was wearing that morning. The announcer also warns of a snowstorm that could disrupt travel.
The guests arrive, Christopher Wren, Mrs. Boyle, Major Metcalf, Miss Casewell, and the odd Mr. Paravicini, who says he had to come in because his car got stuck in the snow.
The next morning, Mollie gets a call from the police. They inform her that Sergeant Trotter will be sent to the manor because they have found a connection between the house and the murder on Culver Street. Mr. Paravicini is shocked, while Major Metcalf is confused. They wonder how the police will reach the manor in such heavy snow, but Sergeant Trotter arrives on skis and introduces himself.
Trotter reveals that a notebook found at the Culver Street murder scene lists two addresses: Culver Street and Monkswell Manor. He also mentions that the murderer may strike again because the notebook says, "this is the first" and includes the nursery rhyme "Three Blind Mice."
Trotter explains that the murder victim and her husband were foster parents at Longridge Farm. They were accused of child neglect after three children were abused and the youngest died. The oldest brother, Georgie Coriggan, deserted the army due to a mental illness, and the sister, Katherine, left and was never seen again. These two are the main murder suspects.
Trotter questions the Ralstons and their guests to see if they have any connections to the victim or suspects, but no one admits to knowing anything. He then searches the house for clues, and Major Metcalf seizes the chance to confront Mrs. Boyle.
He tells her he knows she was the magistrate who placed the Corrigan children under the care of the murder victim and asks why she kept that information from the sergeant. She replies that she does not want to be accused of something she did not do.
Trotter tries to call the police but finds the phone lines cut and asks Giles to check. Everyone goes to their rooms, leaving Mrs. Boyle alone in the lounge. She hears someone whistling "Three Blind Mice," turns around, and recognizes the face. Then the lights go out, followed by a heavy thud. When the lights return, Mollie finds Mrs. Boyle dead.
Trotter interviews everyone about Mrs. Boyle's murder. He asks Mollie about her husband, and she admits that she only knew him for three weeks before they married. She adds that he was out of the country during the murder.
Trotter then notices the similarity between Giles' coat and the murderer's coat. He finds a newspaper in the pocket, which suggests that Giles was actually in London during the murder.
Mollie confronts Giles about the newspaper. He tells her he found a bus ticket to London in her glove and accuses her of spending too much time with Christopher. Trotter suddenly announces that he might know who the killer is. He asks everyone to help him recreate Mrs. Boyle's murder and then sends them away, leaving just him and Mollie alone.
Trotter reveals that he is actually Georgie Corrigan. Mollie had been Jimmy Corrigan's schoolteacher, and he blames her for not helping his younger brother when he asked for help through a letter. He tries to kill her, but Major Metcalf intervenes and saves her life.
Miss Casewell enters the scene and gently reveals to Georgie that she is his sister, Katherine. Major Metcalf, who turns out to be a detective, admits that he suspected Trotter all along.
Mollie and Giles reveal to each other that the real reason they went to London on the day of the murder was to buy anniversary gifts for each other. They reconcile, and the play ends.
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