TheplotrevolvesaroundBritisharistocraticdetectiveInspectorThomasLynleyandhisworking-classpartner,SergeantBarbaraHavers,astheysolvecrimesinterwovenwithsocialissues.Asthe8thEarlofAsherton,LynleyisfromthehighestaristocraticorderofBritainoutsidetheroyalfamily,whileHaversisaperceptivewomanwhocannotboastarichheritage.Thedivideintheirsocialstatusoftenmakesforinterestingconversationsanddifferingperspectivesthatexplorethethemesofclassandgender.

TheplotrevolvesaroundBritisharistocraticdetectiveInspectorThomasLynleyandhisworking-classpartner,SergeantBarbaraHavers,astheysolvecrimesinterwovenwithsocialissues.Asthe8thEarlofAsherton,LynleyisfromthehighestaristocraticorderofBritainoutsidetheroyalfamily,whileHaversisaperceptivewomanwhocannotboastarichheritage.Thedivideintheirsocialstatusoftenmakesforinterestingconversationsanddifferingperspectivesthatexplorethethemesofclassandgender.