Shropshire, England, 1749

Sarah Beaumont's settled life is under threat. Her home is burgled and buried secrets threaten to resurface. She hires Edwin Hare, a thief-taker, to recover what's been stolen, but won't reveal its nature. They find themselves drawn to each other, despite the risk this poses.

Meg Valentine, an under-gardener employed by Sarah's husband, dreams of escaping poverty. When Edwin offers her the chance to assist him, Meg eagerly accepts, hoping to learn the trade of thief-taking. But the case takes a dark turn when their thief is found murdered-and both Sarah and Edwin's actions draw suspicion.

As Meg helps uncover a trail of blackmail and hidden motives, she questions the trustworthiness of those around her, including her mentor.
Determined to find the truth, Meg must navigate tangled relationships, dangerous secrets, and her own ambitions, to uncover the killer and secure her future.

In this 18th century mystery, every choice carries consequences-and no one is truly innocent.

From the author of the Inspector James Given series, this mid-Georgian mystery will appeal to readers of Andrew Taylor and C J Sansom.