While the Ellisons were out paying calls and drinking tea like proper Victorian ladies, a maid in their household was one of a number of young women garrotted to death.  Inspector Thomas Pitt investigates the scene and finds that no one is above suspicion.  As his intense questioning causes many a composed facade to crumble, Pitt finds himself drawn to the independently minded Charlotte Ellison.  Yet a romance between a society girl and so unsuitable a suitor was impossible in the midst of a murder investigation....