They were the most horrific crimes of a new century: the murders of newborn innocents for which two British women were hanged at Holloway Prison in1903. 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 star-studded 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.
