Die Schwester einer vermissten Frau beauftragt Detektivin Eliza Scarlet, sie zu finden. Scotland Yard Inspector Duke Wellington ist darüber wenig erfreut, war er es doch, der den Fall zu den Akten gelegt hat. Doch Eliza spürt, dass die Polizei etwas übersehen hat.

Der Diebstahl einer wertvollen Skizze von Charles Darwin beschäftigt Miss Scarlet und Duke Wellington. Wie konnte die Skizze unbemerkt aus einem Museum gestohlen werden? Und das, ohne Spuren zu hinterlassen?

Eliza is forced into hiding when she is the prime suspect in a series of break-ins at city mortuaries. While Duke tries to find other suspects, Eliza turns to Moses for help.

Eliza is hired to solve a case of blackmail in the shady world of Victorian medicine, and finds herself with a new rival-Patrick Nash, the owner of a large private detective agency who wants to hire her or crush her agency.

A famous mystery writer is at the centre of Eliza's investigation when a series of murders copy scenes in his books. Meanwhile, the Duke is also juggling problems at work with a new superintendent and a troubled young detective.

While Eliza and the Duke struggle around the edges of their relationship, private investigator Nash is shot just as Eliza agrees to work with him. As Eliza and Moses work to solve the attempted murder, they realise Eliza was the target.