Twelve years ago, the town of Shelby was shaken by the brutal murder of Algernon Etheridge, a prominent citizen. The local innkeeper was swiftly accused, tried, and sentenced to death by Judge Ostrander, Etheridge's close friend. Now, a mysterious woman cloaked in purple arrives with a singular purpose: to exonerate the condemned man, despite the fact that he is already dead. Her quest for justice leads her to Judge Ostrander's home, where she assumes the role of his housekeeper. With a keen eye for detail and a relentless determination, she delves into the case, seeking hidden truths and overlooked clues. As she uncovers the tangled web of lies and secrets surrounding the original investigation, she must navigate the treacherous waters of prejudice and deceit, while grappling with the weighty consequences of her actions.