A corpse rises from the dead, and his missing pantaloons appear to be cursed, roaming the city and causing death. The resurrection mystery is intertwined with a gang of female jewel thieves and a pot of raspberry jam, complicating the work of the new man in charge at Bow Street Magistrates' Court, who aims to split up the investigative duo Lavender and Woods. As Lavender is tasked with solving a jewel theft and Woods with tracking a libeller, a series of murders and coincidences reveal their cases are connected. Disobeying orders, they unite to uncover the devious secrets behind these bizarre crimes.

The premise sets up a complex historical mystery with supernatural undertones, blending elements of crime and period drama. The narrative appears to focus on the investigative partnership of Lavender and Woods as they navigate official orders and personal ambition to solve a series of interconnected crimes. The inclusion of unusual elements like a resurrected corpse and cursed clothing suggests a narrative that balances gritty investigation with a touch of the fantastical. The story seems designed to challenge the protagonists with some of the most bizarre mysteries of their careers, requiring cunning and guile to expose hidden secrets and prove their effectiveness as a team.