Edwin Drood and Rosa Bud have been engaged to each other since childhood, but they are not in love, but only attached to each other. Edwin has an uncle a few years older, John Jasper, who is in love with Rosa, so he plans to kill his nephew. In addition, Jasper, who was a singer in the city's cathedral, secretly smoked opium in some brothel in London with an old woman who for some reason hated him. The uncle in public in every possible way emphasizes his love for Edwin and is respected in the city. Brother and sister appear in the city - Neville and Elena Landles. Neville at first sight falls in love with Rosa and begins to quarrel with Edwin because he believes that he carelessly treats his bride. Jasper, pretending to want to reconcile the young people, calls them out and drinks wine with some kind of drug. Then Edwin and Neville go for a walk on the river, this night Edwin disappears. Neville, accused of the murder of Edwin Drood, is detained, but subsequently, due to lack of evidence, is released. Six months later, a stranger appears in Klostergam with a huge, gray-haired head of hair. His name is Dick Daughter. He watches Jasper, meets an old woman who sold him opium. The goals of his arrival and his further actions in the city are not known. At this point, the novel breaks off.