Suez Canal Egypt and Santorini Greece, 1863: Edward Tyrington had no intention of meeting the only woman he would consider his equal over the body of a murdered man in Egypt, but nothing had gone according to plan since his father squandered the family fortune and abruptly died. The poverty that followed led him to leave London and take a position as the Chief Archaeologist with the Suez Canal Company.

When another man is murdered, this time at his archaeological excavation, suspicion turns to him. Thus begins his turbulent alliance with Catherine Briggs, who proves to be both reckless, cunning in her efforts to clear his name. With corrupt police and international forces in play, time is running out to catch the murderer. If they fail, Edward will either be the next victim, or the man who will hang for the crimes.