In the 1890's, Detective William Murdoch adopts modern techniques like 'finger marks' and forensics to track Toronto's most sinister killers. Though derided by his skeptical boss, Murdoch finds friends and allies in a lovely pathologist and an eager-to-learn constable. Along the way they cross paths with some of the era's most famous figures, including Nikola Tesla, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Prince Alfred.