New Orleans When Benjamin January suddenly finds that his services playing piano at extravagant balls held by the citys wealthy are no longer required he ends up agreeing to accompany sugar planter Henri Viellard and his young wife ChloxEB on a mission to Washington to find a missing friend Plunged into a murky world it soon becomes clear that while it is very possible the Viellards friend is dead his enemies are very much alive - and ready to kill anyone who gets in their way
