The death of their parents in an automobile crash in the summer of 1914 leads Cambridge professor Joseph Reavley and his brother Matthew, an intelligence officer, into a complicated investigation of what became of a mysterious document--allegedly with the power to disgrace England--Mr. Reavley was on his way to deliver to Matthew when he died.

In July of 1917, chaplain Joseph Reavley and his sister, Judith, struggle to cope with the devastation of World War I while their brother Matthew searches for the sinister figure known as the Peacemaker who is trying to stop Britain from winning the war.

Inspector Monk investigates the disappearance of a well-to-do citizen of Victorian London, and the primary suspect is the man's depraved twin brother.

Thomas Pitt is summoned to Buckingham Palace to investigate when a prostitute's murdered body is discovered in the queen's bed, leading to a scandal that could destroy the monarchy if Pitt cannot find the killer.

Investigator Thomas Monk, nurse Hester Latterly, and defense counsel Oliver Rathbone work to save Alexandra Carlyon from the gallous for the murder of her husband.