Sarah Woolson has always dreamed of being a lawyer. The trouble is that, in 1880, everyone believes a woman's place is in the home. Using her brains and a bit of subterfuge, Sarah finagles her way into a prestigious law firm, becoming an associate attorney and acquiring her very first client, a lovely young society matron accused of murdering her husband. Sarah is sure of her client's innocence, but with the discovery of her secret lover, it becomes nearly impossible to prove. When four more victims fall prey to the killer's knife, Sarah fears she's bitten off more than she can chew. Soon Sarah finds herself embroiled in shady legal maneuvers, a daring Chinatown raid, a secret and very scandalous sex club, and the most powerful and dangerous tong lord in the city's Chinese District.