Women's rights is the main theme in the story. The novel is set in the 20th century in London. During this time, women still do not have the full rights of men. Some of the women, those who took over men's jobs while the men were away at war, receive voting rights. The women who did not do this still do not have voting rights. Mary Russell, the main character is a firm believer in women's rights and she works in the ways that she can to help to women's suffrage.