They were the most horrific crimes of the new the murders of newborn innocents for which two British women were hanged at Holloway Prison in 1903. Decades later, mystery writer Josephine Tey has decided to write a novel based on Amelia Sach and Annie Walters, the notorious "Finchley baby farmers," unaware that her research will entangle her in the desperate hunt for a modern-day killer. A young seamstress--an ex-convict determined to reform--has been found brutally slain in the studio of Tey's friends, the Motley sisters, amid preparations for a starstudded charity gala. Despite initial appearances, Inspector Archie Penrose is not convinced this murder is the result of a long-standing domestic feud--and a horrific accident involving a second young woman soon after supports his convictions. Now he and his friend, Josephine must unmask a sadistic killer before more blood flows--as the repercussions of unthinkable crimes of the past reach out to destroy those left behind long after justice has been served.