Thomas Hawkins has been asked by a notorious gangster, James Fleet, to
meet with a woman of repute on his behalf. Just before he is to meet
with the woman in question, she is attacked. Hawkins comes to her
defence and is badly beaten, but he successfully overcomes the
assailant. Meantime, she escapes to safety.
Hawkins is shocked when he is summoned by the queen. She wants him to
work for her as a spy. He is to get in the good graces of Lord Howard,
the man he had bested; the husband of the woman who he had saved from
his attack on her. Unable to bow out gracefully, Hawkins is trapped in a
servitude he doesn't want.
However, the following morning, Hawkins is arrested by the local
magistrate for the murder of his neighbour. Tortured, Hawkins is
prepared to confess when an order for his release is provided by the
city Marshal. He is also tasked with finding his neighbour's killer.
Hawkins knows that it is not going to be easy.
Despite having learned of who the real killer is, Hawkins is arrested and charged with the killing. There seems no way out now.
Author Antonia Hodgson provides plenty of twists and turns throughout
this murder mystery and completes the plot with a surprising end. A
thoroughly enjoyable read.
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