At the Paris Peace Conference, Queen Marie beguiled the diplomats into returning her adopted country's long-lost provinces, singlehandedly transforming Roumania from a backwater into a force. Ensconced in her castle overlooking the border between Roumania and its newly regained territory of Transylvania, the queen fears shadowy figures and dangers that may be only accidents. Following Riviera Gold, this 17th case finds Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes coming to her aid, but are they ready to contend with vampires?