For Miriam Gardiner, attending a party at the London home of her fiance, Lucius Stourbridge, to celebrate their forthcoming marriage, should have been one of the happiest days of her life. But, after making a sudden exit from the party, Miriam disappears without a trace. Reluctant to cause a scandal, Lucius seeks out William Monk, a detective with a reputation for excellence...
The plaintiffs in a sensational breach of promise suit are wealthy social climbers Barton and Delphine Lambert, suing on behalf of their beautiful daughter, Zillah. The defendant is Zillah's alleged fiance, brilliant young architect Killian Melville, who adamantly declares that he will not, cannot, marry her. Not even to his counsel, distinguished barrister Sir Oliver Rathbone, will Killian explain his rejection of rich and charming Zillah.
When Countess Zorah Rostova sweeps into the office of London barrister Sir Oliver Rathbone and asks him to defend her against a serious charge of slander, he is astonished to find himself accepting. For, from what he learns of the case, a defense of the countess can only earn him notoriety. Twenty years earlier, Countess Zorah's countryman Prince Friedrich had abdicated his throne to marry a woman who was unacceptable as queen. Since then the prince and his beloved Princess Gisela have lived in romantic exile as the world's most famous lovers.
Private detective Monk makes his fourth appearance in the vivid Victorian series by the beloved creator of Inspector Pitt and wife. A gifted nurse has met death by strangulation, and William Monk is convinced it was no random act of violence. Soon he discerns the shadow of a tragic evil that darkens every level of society.
General Carlyon is killed in what first appears to be a freak accident. But the general's wife readily confesses that she did it. With the trial only days away the counsel for defence work feverishly to break down the wall of silence.
