Beautiful muse, Miss Sapphire Reubens, the inspiration for her lover's latest art exhibition, is missing - items of her clothing found in the river. Worryingly, Miss Matilda Hayward and her fellow writer for the Women's Journal, Miss Alice Doran, only recently enjoyed a preview of the inspired work by artist, Marlon Dominey, featuring Miss Reubens immersed in water. Was it a death portrait?

When another two artists are found murdered and posed in the manner of their paintings, Matilda and her new beau, Detective Thomas Ashdown, fear the artist's inspiration may have come from ill means. Matilda is determined to get to the bottom of the story, especially as her brother, Gideon, manages the Art Gallery featuring the artwork.

There is mystery, passion and love afoot!