From humble beginnings in Ireland, William Melville has risen to become head of Scotland Yard's Special Branch and personal bodyguard to Queen Victoria. But when the Queen dies in January 1901 and the crowned heads of Europe converge on London for her funeral, Melville learns of a conspiracy, led by a mysterious nihilist known only as Akushku, to assassinate Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany at the ceremony. Melville and his German counterpart Gustav Steinhauer find themselves tangled in a web of adultery, betrayal, and violence—but is the greater threat from Melville's enemies, or his allies?