The great Victorian sleuth Xavier Thorn and his partner Vic Hamilton take a case close to home. Their youngest staff member, L'il Pete, discovers his mother murdered in the alley. Jacko is called up from the country to assist in solving the crime.

The good woman's murder proves to be tangled up with a much larger and shocking list of crimes perpetrated by a powerful man who may truly be above the law.

Making matters more complex: Vic discovers her recent weight gain may be the result of a condition that could destroy her life and everything she loves.