NATIONAL BESTSELLERAnne Perrys superb New York Times bestselling novels set in the glorious reign of Victoria are loved by readers far and wide. Now, with this new Charlotte and Thomas Pitt mystery, Perry returns us to that charmed era, when wealth and power rule—but where, alas, poisonous corruption lies coiled in the heart of the empire. As commander of the powerful Special Branch, Thomas Pitt has the job of keeping Britain safe from spies and traitors. So theres no obvious reason why he is suddenly ordered to investigate two minor incidents the blood, hair, and shards of glass discovered outside the home of naval weapons expert Dudley Kynaston, and the simultaneous disappearance of Mrs. Kynastons beautiful ladys maid. But weeks later, when the mutilated body of an unidentified young woman is found near Kynastons home, Pitt realizes that this is no ordinary police investigation.
