Anthony Brooke is a secret agent working for the British Government during the First World War. His latest mission is to investigate a gang responsible for murders, blackmail, and kidnapping.

The opening chapter takes place in the wealthy Jowett household. This was an era when the servants quarters were below stairs, completely separate from their employers. However, on the day in question, the servants gather to listen at the drawing room door after hearing a violent argument taking place between Mr and Mrs Jowett. The servants are not to know that it will lead to a murder, a suicide, and a natural death. Or is that really what happened? Well have no fear, because Anthony Brooke is about to swing into action, he's determined to get to the truth, and in doing so, it also brings him closer to the vicious gang that he seeks to expose.

Anthony's inquiries into the gang, uncover a plot to kidnap a young girl from a convent in war ravaged Belgium. He intends to find and rescue the girl, but this will be no easy mission, as Belgium is a country that is still under German occupation.

From the parlours of the wealthy, to the muddy and dangerous minefields behind enemy lines in Belgium, this story is rich in detail, and very much of its era. The characters are wonderful and the plot is such that it ensures that attention doesn't wander. I love this particular period in history when detection work relied on the brilliance of great minds working together, without the aid of modern technology. A great story, well told, and very entertaining.

*Thank you to Severn House Publishers for my ARC in exchange for an honest review *