Bombay, 1831. Freshly arrived from London, Alexander Martin reports to his new boss at the Indian Political Service – a government agency whose function is little more than helping the East India Company expand its grasp upon the Indian subcontinent. The enthusiastic, somewhat idealistic young man soon begins displeasing the British establishment, and is shunned by Bombay’s polite society … until several of its members begin disappearing, forcing Alexander to investigate …

Three missing, one dead … When English lords drop like flies, the Empire is unhappy. Alexander Martin, the brave but prickly Ayesha and the considerably less brave Warren Longfellow continue their investigation, but it soon becomes clear that there are some in Bombay who have no interest in seeing old stories resurface. Can the unlikely trio navigate the obstacles that keep springing up in their path in time to save the next target – Warren’s uncle?