An unusual death during a society evening at the Opera reveals something sinister at the heart of the French court...October 1761 finds the newly-promoted Commissioner Le Floch on duty at a royal performance of Rameau's latest work. Events take a dramatic turn and Nicolas is soon embarked on his second major investigation when the body of a prominent courtier's son is found. The initial evidence points to suicide, but Le Floch's instincts tell him he is dealing with murder of the most gruesome kind.