About This Book
Devon, April 1759...Newlyweds John Rawlings and Emilia are spending their honeymoon touring the mysterious county of Devon. Arriving in the remote hamlet of Sidmouth, where John wants to sample the health-giving benefits of sea bathing, he and his bride watch a schooner being towed into harbour by local fishermen and immediately deduce that all is not well on board. The gruesome discovery of the body of a young girl, badly beaten and bruised and draped over the figurehead draws the Apothecary into the investigation. He recognises the dead girl as Juliana van Guylder, daughter of a Dutch merchant residing in the port of Topsham. When the girl's brother, Richard, goes missing at the same time, John realises that, honeymoon or no, he is deeply involved in something rather sinister.
Soon the Flying Runners are on the scene, bringing with them Joe Jago, assistant to John Fielding, the Blind Beak of London. Although they know the identity of the dead girl, they are still no further towards finding her killer. Was she murdered by her possessive father, furious with her for her wayward behaviour? Or is the father of her unborn child to blame? If only they could be certain who he was. Perhaps her fiancee, Tobias Wills, exacted a deadly revenge for the betrayal. And where does the violent gang that has been terrorising Exeter, the mysterious Society of Angels, fit in to all this? John Rawlings is determined to find some answers...even if it means putting himself in danger.
