It's 1884. Emma, now with a young son and no longer traveling with Daniel on the Mary B is finding it difficult to settle into town life. Until she's called on by her friend and neighbour

Henrietta Pickles to investigate the death of her father-in-law.

Who wanted Old Mr. Pickles dead? Was it his business partner, that arrogant patron of the Ladies Benevolent Society whom Emma recently confronted?

Or is this about wills and inheritance? The police seem to think so when they arrest Henrietta's daughter Janet. Her family is distraught.

Emma redoubles her efforts. But while she rallies family, friends and enemies alike to the cause including Janey, her annoying but indispensable maid-of-all-work, Daniel isn't thrilled that she's sticking her nose into other people's business.

With Janet about to be sent down south to that grim and forbidding edifice, the Melbourne Jail, can Emma prove the coroner and Sergeant Donovan wrong before her friend ends up on death row?