Dr. Wolfe MacFarlane, a respected medical professor in 19th-century Edinburgh, relies on grave robbers for cadavers to teach his students human anatomy. His primary supplier is the sinister cabman John Gray, who reveals a dark past with MacFarlane. As Gray continues to deliver fresh bodies, questions arise about the methods he uses to procure them. MacFarlane's young assistant, Donald Fettes, becomes increasingly disturbed by the ethical and legal implications of their work, particularly as the demand for fresh bodies grows.

Tensions mount when an ill-tempered beggar woman named Mrs. Marsh enters the picture, desperately seeking help for her disabled child from MacFarlane. As the pressure peaks, so does MacFarlane's reliance on Gray, leading to a series of unnerving and morally dubious events that blur the line between scientific advancement and criminal activity. As these dark deeds unfold, Donald Fettes starts piecing together a chilling pattern that threatens not only his mentor's career but also their very lives.