From the No.1 bestselling author of The Ashes of London and The Fire Court comes the next book in the phenomenally successful series following James Marwood at the time of King Charles II. A royal scandal that could change the face of England forever

London 1667. In the Court of Charles II, its a dangerous time to be alive a wrong move may lead to disgrace, exile or death. The discovery of a body at Clarendon House, the palatial home of one of the highest courtiers in the land, could therefore have catastrophic consequences.

James Marwood, a traitors son, is ordered to cover up the murder. But the dead man is Edward Alderley, the cousin of one of Marwoods acquaintances. Cat Lovett had every reason to want her cousin dead. Since his murder, she has vanished, and all the evidence points to her as the killer.

Marwood is determined to clear Cats name and discover who really killed Alderley. But time is running out for everyone. If he makes a mistake, it could threaten not only the government but the King himself

Praise for Andrew Taylor

One of the best historical crime writers today The Times

If you like C. J. Sansom, or Hilary Mantel, youll love Andrew Taylor Peter James

Effortlessly authenticgrippingmoving and believable. An excellent work C. J. Sansom

This is historical crime fiction at its dazzling best Guardian

One of the best historical novelists around Sunday Times

A breathtakingly ambitious picture of an era Financial Times

A masterclass in writing for the genre Ann Cleeves

Andrew Taylor is one of our finest storytellers' Antonia Hodgson

Vivid and compelling Observer

A novel filled with intrigue, duplicity, scandal and betrayal, whose author now vies with another master of the genre, C. J. Sansom Spectator

Taylor brings the 17th century to life so vividly that one can almost smell it Guardian

A most artful and delightful book, that will both amuse and chill Daily Telegraph