London, 1654.

Oliver Cromwell is at the height of his power and has declared himself Lord Protector. Captain Damian Seeker is his most trusted agent. No one knows where Seeker comes from, who his family is, or even his real name.

All that is known for certain is that he is utterly loyal to Cromwell and that he has eyes everywhere. In the city, coffee houses are springing up, places where men may meet to plot and gossip. Now they are ringing with news of a murder.

John Winter, hero of Cromwell's all-powerful army, is dead, and the lawyer, Elias Ellingworth, found standing over the bleeding body, clutching a knife. Yet despite the damning evidence, Seeker is not convinced of Ellingworth's guilt. He will stop at nothing to bring the killer to justice: and Seeker knows better than any man where to search.