Hercule Poirot is on holiday and on board a steamer that is touring the Nile River. While on the steamer, Poirot is approached by Linnet Doyle nee Ridgeway, a successful socialite. She wants to hire Poirot and have him prevent her stalker from stalking her. Poirot declines being maid and tries to convince Jacqueline de Bellefort to stop hounding Ridgeway but ultimately fails.
A life-threatening situation leaves Linnet in shock and Jacquelineas the suspect. More incidents occur and Linnett is found murdered in the morning shot in the head and her string of pearls missing. As the weapon used for the murder is recovered, Poirot gathers information to find the killer.