Murdoch’s distressing childhood memories are evoked while investigating the death of an orphan under the care of the same Jesuit priest who taught him.
When the judge of a cooking contest is poisoned, Murdoch realizes that other competitors also tasted the tainted ingredient, including Crabtree and Margaret Brackenreid.
A jailed Murdoch must prove his innocence amid police and government corruption after the constables are ambushed, Ogden is kidnapped, and Brackenreid goes missing.
Murdoch and Ogden investigate the suspicious death of an Arctic expedition crewmember, while their workplaces become increasingly complicated in light of recent events.