Dorchester Terrace

Lady Vespasia Cumming-Gould's good friend is aging quickly and slipping into dementia.  Serafina  Montserrat knows what is happening to her and expresses concern to Vespasia that she might say something wrong at an inconvenient time, which could create problems for others.

Vespasia approaches Victor Narraway, former head of Special Branch, to see if there are any worries about Serafina disclosing secrets, and how she might be protected.  He is unable to approach Thomas Pitt, who has recently been confirmed as head of Special Branch, so Narraway has to do things on his own.

Meantime, Pitt's sergeant, Stoker has discovered that some foreigner is asking questions about the rail line between Dover and London.  This raises the possibility that foreigners plan to strike at Britain for some reason; or could it be a diversion for something else?  Later information comes to Pitt indicating that the target could be a minor member of the Austrian nobility.  Were he to be assassinated on British soil, the two nations could potentially end up at war.

When Serafina dies unexpectedly, Vespasia approaches Pitt with her concerns.  Pitt immediately goes to Serafina's home in Dorchester Terrace to investigate.  An autopsy proves that Serafina has succumbed to an overdose of laudanum.  Because of Serafina's knowledge, Pitt wonders if the two cases aren't tied together.  He approaches his old boss Narraway for advice.  Narraway is provided with information that there is possibly an agent of the Austrian government working in the Foreign Office.

Murder, political intrigue, conspiracy, and love are all well woven together in this 19th century mystery by author Anne Perry.  A good read.