Chapter 1 starts with Mark Easterbrook, a local historian and lecturer, sitting in a café in Chelsea contemplating his latest book project. Suddenly an argument breaks out as two young women wrestle with one another, one tearing a handful of hair out of the other. The fight is broken up, and before Mark leaves he discovers the name of the girl who had been attacked, Thomasina Tucker.

A week later, Mark sees the name of the same girl listed in the obituaries of the paper. He then visits his close friend, Mrs. Ariadne Oliver—an author of detective stories—to ask her to attend a church festival. Upon arriving at Mrs. Oliver’s house, she asks him if he believes anyone could kill “by remote control,” or more properly, “black magic” (15). Mark replies in the negative, ending their conversation.

The second chapter shifts to the local Catholic priory, where a young boy arrives asking for the priest, Fr. Gorman. The boy says a woman, Mrs. Davis, is dying and has asked for a priest to come immediately. The priest arrives in time to give last rites and hear her confession, but leaves in a stupor, astounded by what he just heard.