New York, 1900. A young woman is missing in the upper Manhattan neighborhood dubbed Italian Harlem, and everyone knows who's behind it: the Black Hand, a notorious gang that terrorizes their own community. Frank Malloy and his new partner Gino Donatelli track down a lead in the case, namely saloon owner Nunzio Esposito. But when Gino finds him, Esposito is already deceased, and all the evidence points to Gino. To save him, in their 23rd mystery, Sarah Malloy and Frank not only have to go up against the police, they're also facing the Black Hand, who are honor bound to avenge the death of one of their own.