France and Prussia – 1863, When someone close to Edward Tyrington is murdered, he is charged with finding the murderer and bringing them to justice. The murky path to catch the criminal leads him through the borderlands of France and Prussia, two countries on the brink of war.

With the resourceful Catherine Briggs and her suspicious uncle by his side, Edward uncovers a secret plot that will tilt the playing field of war for decades to come. Will Edward and Catherine avoid the assassins sent to kill them and rebalance the power between two countries intent on war?