TheplotrevolvesaroundBritisharistocraticdetectiveInspectorThomasLynleyandhisworkingclasspartner,SergeantBarbaraHavers,astheysolvecrimesinterwovenwithsocialissuesAsthe8thEarlofAsherton,LynleyisfromthehighestaristocraticorderofBritainoutsidetheroyalfamily,whileHaversisaperceptivewomanwhocannotboastarichheritageThedivideintheirsocialstatusoftenmakesforinterestingconversationsanddifferingperspectivesthatexplorethethemesofclassandgender