Coronation hears of the murders before she even reaches the slave port of Bristol – six boys found with their throats slit.
Horrified, she questions the locals' readiness to blame the killings on Red John, a travelling-man few have actually seen.
Coronation yearns to know more about the mystery. But first she has to outsmart the bawds, thieves and rakes who prey on young girls like her: fresh from the countryside and desperate for work.
When the murderer strikes shockingly close to Coronation, she schemes, eavesdrops and spies on all around her until the shameful truth is out.