In 1876 the homes of the poor working class in the East End are being replaced by splendid houses for the rich. When Kelly's Yard comes under threat, Maria Bertram inspires in her neighbours a rebellion against eviction.

But when a woman is found murdered in Tobacco Dock and the young man she loves is arrested, Maria must do everything in her power to prove his innocence and save him from a public hanging.

Without realising it, she puts her own life at risk when she stumbles across a web of deceit in the planners' office. The murderer is much closer to home than she thinks...