Mr. Budd and Sergeant Leek investigate a peculiar murder in the village of Marbury. A body has been found in a derelict house called 'Jackson's Folly'. A note, pinned to the door, has the nursery rhyme 'The House That Jack Built' scribbled on it. Then Lady Conyers of nearby Marbury Court is also found dead in bed - with the same rhyme scrawled on the bedroom door... As Mr Budd encounters many false trails, can he secure a successful conclusion?