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.

Higgins enlists Watts help after he messes up the courier delivery of a horse statue for some very dangerous thugs.

Murdoch's investigation of a constable's murder is hampered by interference from Brackenreid's over-zealous replacement.