When the body of a man nicknamed "Cock Robin" is found with an arrow in the heart on an archery range along with a chess bishop as a clue, Philo Vance investigates.

The murders start with the body of Robin. He is found with a arrow through the heart, but Vance deduces that the body was placed and not found where he was killed. The note found dealing with the murder was part of a nursery rhyme and signed by 'Bishop'. The only witness may have been Mrs. Drukker and Adolph, but they are not talking. As the murders progress, each one is accompanied by a nursery rhyme. It is up to Philo Vance to unravel the clues and unmask the identity of the murderer 'Bishop'.—Tony Fontana <[email protected]>

Detective Philo Vance is called in to investigate the murder of Joseph Cochrane Robin, wealthy man found dead with an arrow through his heart, and a chess-bishop and a note in 'MotherGoose' rhyme next to his body. Before Vance can get started, another murder occurs. Then a series of murders, all with black-bishops and nursery-rhymes attached. Just before the rest of the cast is murdered, ace-investigator Vance suddenly gets a clue by actually getting a clue.—Les Adams <[email protected]>