Toronto, February 1895. When the body of a young woman is found naked and frozen in a quiet laneway, Acting Detective William Murdoch, driven by pity for the dead girl and the desire to secure his promotion, is determined to pursue every lead and reveal the truth. Though influential people bring pressure to bear on the police to solve the mystery quickly, when the body is eventually identified it soon becomes clear that many of those connected with the girl's life have secrets to hide. Murdoch must use every detective skill he possesses and his understanding of human nature to untangle the case before more lives are lost.