Arabella Harlow is a governess seeking new employment in the city of Second London one Halloween season. Her paths cross with an eccentric alchemist-inventor, who introduces her to his myriad of creations. One particular automaton is Jack, a humanoid construct with ruby-red eyes and intellect on par with a human's. But Jack cannot speak - not verbally. So Arabella is hired on to teach him how to communicate through alternate methods.
As they grow in their relationship - are they colleagues? are they comrades? are they confidantes? Arabella herself is not quite sure. - a series of tragic, dramatic events culminate in a murder. Secrets lurk in the city of Second London...secrets that may put Arabella's life in danger...