In 1851, Monterey was a rough town in the center of the American Wild West. It was a place where danger and opportunity were closely linked to each other. In the Wild West, life was hard for everyone, but especially for women, who had few opportunities and were looked down upon by men in society. After the sudden death of her husband in a particularly vicious bar fight, Eliza Ripple is forced to work in a brothel so that she can financially stay afloat. Despite the seedy reputation of her new profession, Eliza was grateful for the stability it provided. Her new madam (the woman who was essentially her pimp) named Mrs. Parks was kind, and the men who she serviced were unexpectedly kind and well-mannered.
However, as Eliza settled into her new life, a sinister presence began to cast their shadow over the town. They quickly make their presence known. At the same time, a number of women begin to turn up dead, their bodies left on the outskirts of town in a macabre display. Refusing to stand by and do nothing, Eliza and her friend Jean set out to catch the killer. Using their intelligence and wits, the two women work together to determine what happened to each of the women–and who did it.
As they work to solve the mystery, Eliza and Jean began to realize that the killer might be closer to their orbit than they had once thought. Clients of the brothel start to seem more and more suspicious, and the women find themselves constantly looking over their shoulders. Despite the danger, they were determined to bring the killer to justice, even though the U.S. Civil War would soon start.
Mrs. Parks had previously given all of the women who worked under her a very prescient warning: “This is a dangerous business, but between you and me, being a woman is a dangerous business, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise." In a time and place where women were expected to conform to strict societal norms, Eliza and Jean broke the mold, using their intellect and bravery to make their mark on the world. And ultimately, the duo finally brough the killer to justice against all odds.
