As commander of the powerful Special Branch, Thomas Pitt has the job of keeping Victorian 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. When the mutilated body of an unidentified young woman is found near Kynastons home, Pitt realizes that this is no ordinary police investigation. Is Kynaston-one of Britains most valuable scientists-leading a double life?