In 1862, Maggie Chadwick is a popular artiste who performs at the Hippodrome Music Hall, a once opulent venue in Lancashire that has seen better days and now caters mainly to the under classes. Maggie is married to Fred, her abusive manager. When Fred is found garroted behind stage, Inspector Halliwell launches an investigation. Edouard Deschanel is a Frenchman who has come to the north of England to open a department store that caters to the well-to-do. Customers flock to enjoy this novel shopping experience. Edouard is outraged by the abuse Fred Chadwick inflicts on Maggie. A confrontation between the two men is witnessed by several people. Halliwell quickly establishes that Deschanel has a motive for murder. But then so does Maggie herself. Motivated by self-preservation, Edouard and Maggie work together to discover the identity of the murderer.