Winner of The HWA Gold Crown 2020



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.
Over 1 Million Andrew Taylor Novels Sold!
A royal scandal…
In the Court of Charles II, it’s a dangerous time to be alive – a wrong move may lead to disgrace, exile or death. The discovery of a body at the home of one of the highest courtiers in the land could therefore have catastrophic consequences.


A shocking murder…
James Marwood, a traitor’s son, is ordered to cover up the killing. But the dead man is known to Marwood – as is the most likely culprit, Cat Lovett.


The stakes have never been higher…
Marwood is sure Cat is innocent so determines to discover the true murderer. But time is running out. If he makes a mistake, it could threaten 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, you’ll love Andrew Taylor’ Peter James


‘Effortlessly authentic…gripping…moving 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