The story takes place in London, England during the late nineteenth century, the Victorian Era. During this period, industrialists and inventors expanded society's capabilities, creating great progress in the fields of transportation and industry but also laying the groundwork for future problems like pollution. The middle class rose to great prominence, and families became smaller with fewer numbers of children, who tended to live longer.

Queen Victoria ruled her empire with political acumen and used her personal life as an example of how she thought an Englishwoman should behave. The ideal Victorian woman was expected to be feminine, moral, and devoted to her family and children. Intelligent and independent, Sally Lockhart acts contrary to this example. While faithful to her extended family, she serves more as a protector and authority figure to them. She runs her own financial consulting business, is a partner in a successful photography studio...