Deputy Marshal Archie Lean investigates the ritualistic murder of a prostitute in 1892 Portland, Maine, uncovering a connection to witchcraft and a trail leading to the secretive spiritual societies of gothic New England. Lean must navigate the prejudices of his time and the hidden machinations of occult groups to expose the truth behind the victim's death. He finds an unlikely ally in a criminologist, and together they must decipher the clues left behind by a killer operating within the shadows of society and the supernatural.

The premise of a historical mystery involving witchcraft and secret societies suggests a narrative rich in atmosphere and suspense. The setting in gothic New England points to a focus on dark historical undercurrents and potentially supernatural elements. The collaboration between a lawman and a criminologist implies a procedural aspect to the unfolding mystery. The book likely explores themes of hidden knowledge, societal secrets, and the clash between the rational and the arcane.