Detective Murdoch is called out to a remote house when one of the guests, Jacob Oliver, is murdered. There he finds Dr. Grace who was also a guest in the house. It's quickly apparent to Murdoch that something is wrong and he finally learns the truth: everyone there was playing cards to see who would have the privilege to die. Dr. Grace and her friends have been seeking to glimpse the afterlife by inducing death and then bringing the person back to life. There is no doubt one of the card players was killed however - he has a piece of metal in his throat. Back at the station, Inspector Brackenreid and Constable Crabtree are guarding Ned Watts, a man who has agreed to give evidence against the notorious killer known as Randolph the Razor. It's not going to be a quiet evening.

Murdoch investigates a murder at the Newsome Estate, which has declared itself a nation.

When a man resembling Murdoch is shot, he must find the killer before the killer finds him.

With his family in hiding, Murdoch tries to discover who is behind attempts on their lives.