When Octavia Haslett, daughter of Sir Basil Moidore, is found stabbed to death in her bedroom, Inspector Monk is assigned to investigate. Monk determines that there was no outside intruder. This leaves the family and servants as suspects. As the investigation continues without results, Monk secretly enlists the help of Hester Latterly to infiltrate the household.This story is suspenseful, with many twists and turns right up to its shocking conclusion. Rich in detail this book reveals much about the conditions that women lived under in Victorian England.