In 1895 London, spirited journalist Verity Mallard, and her twin brother Mortimer, applaud the news that their dear friend, Mary Phillips, is embarking on her first engagement as a professional actress. Joining a touring company in the cast of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, Mary is both intrigued and thrilled by her new life, until the sudden disappearance of fellow actress, Cynthia Grant.

When Verity takes Cynthia's place in the cast, she sets out to discover what lies behind Cynthia's decision to abandon the play, calling on the services of dogged private investigator, George Benson.

Soon they find themselves entangled in a web of murder, blackmail and kidnapping; threatened by some of the most feared denizens of the Victorian underworld.