The plot revolves around British aristocratic detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and his working-class partner, Sergeant Barbara Havers, as they solve crimes interwoven with social issues. As the 8th Earl of Asherton, Lynley is from the highest aristocratic order of Britain outside the royal family, while Havers is a perceptive woman who cannot boast a rich heritage. The divide in their social status often makes for interesting conversations and differing perspectives that explore the themes of class and gender.