Robert Harris just becomes better and better. His historical novels are well researched, intelligent and very intriguing. Oliver Cromwell and his Roundheads won the English Civil War, killed Charles I and instituted a puritan republic. But just 10 years later, the tables are turned again. Cromwell is dead, the monarchy is re-instated and Charles' son is king. The men that killed Charles I are now outlaws, most are captured and executed. Edward Whalley and William Goffe flees to the American colonies, but the British rulers are dead set on finding them and bringing them to justice.

It is 1660 in England. Cromwell has fallen and Charles II is in power. Time for those who participated in the execution of Charles I to flee. This is the story of two regicides who fled to America and the Javert-like investigator who tracks them. The scenes of Puritan America were particularly interesting.