Murder and corruption in 19th-century New York...
In the sizzling summer of 1871, New York journalist Charles St. Clair is
tracking down the story of Lucy Maloney, a "kept woman" found murdered
and stuffed in a trunk at the Hudson Railway depot. His search takes him
from the mansions of Fifth Avenue to the brothels of SoHo and the seedy
and dangerous saloons on Water Street. St. Clair soon uncovers Lucy's
connection to a ring of abortionists and to Madame Philippe, a wealthy
woman who is known as Madame Killer. St. Clair confronts Madame Philippe
at the Tombs Prison, where she awaits the hangman's noose for Lucy's
murder. St. Clair believes her to be innocent and sets out to prove it,
discovering deceit at the highest levels of political power and a
shocking secret. Time is running out for Madame Philippe and for St.
Clair as he hurries to reveal the trunk mystery before it's too late....