The novel begins with an unnamed man consuming opium in an opium den in London; while consuming the drug, he experiences memories or hallucinations of an English cathedral town. As he consumes more opium, the man becomes violent, “seizing [another man] with both hands by the throat” (5). He eventually leaves the opium den. Later that day, a man (implied to be the same man from the opium den scene) hurries in to take his place in a procession as part of a religious service taking place in a cathedral.

After service has ended at the cathedral, three men gather outside: the Dean (a high-ranking ecclesiastical position), Mr. Tope (a type of church official known as a verger) and the Reverend Crisparkle. Mr. Tope explains that the cathedral choirmaster, a man named John Jasper, is ill. Reverend Crisparkle stops off at Jasper’s home to check on him; Jasper reassures Crisparkle that he is feeling much better and is eagerly anticipating his nephew’s arrival. This nephew will do him “more good than a dozen doctors. For I love him dearly, and I don’t love doctors” (10).

Jasper’s nephew, Edwin Drood, arrives a short time later; he is only a few years younger than his uncle.