From the No.1 bestselling author of and comes the next book in the phenomenally successful series following James Marwood and Cat Lovett during the time of King Charles II.The Last ProtectorThe Ashes of London

Two young girls plot a murder by witchcraft. Soon afterwards a government clerk dies painfully in mysterious circumstances. His colleague James Marwood is asked to investigate – but the task brings unexpected dangers.

Meanwhile, architect Cat Hakesby is working for a merchant who lives on Slaughter Street, where the air smells of blood and a captive Barbary lion prowls the stables. Then a prestigious new commission arrives. Cat must design a Poultry House for the woman that the King loves most in all the world.

Unbeknownst to all, at the heart of this lies a royal secret so explosive that it could not only rip apart England but change the entire face of Europe…

Over 1 Million Andrew Taylor Novels Sold! A Best Paperback of 2022Times