A priceless medieval book has been stolen from the Inner Temple. The librarian has been murdered at his desk. Once again, Sir Gabriel Ward KC must provide answers.

Gabriel meanwhile is preparing to represent a tiny sweetshop in Brighton brought to the brink of ruin by the postponed coronation of King Edward VII. Winning the case will save the sweetshop and change the law for ever. Yet for once he does not object to being pressed into acting as detective, because another miscarriage of justice may be on the cards.

The Temple authorities already have their prime suspects: Jitendra Shah, an Indian law student, and Lesley Roberts, the scandalously female assistant librarian, neither of whom fit the profile of a ‘true’ member of the Temple. Both were in the library at the time the murder must have taken place. Each claims not to have seen the other. At least one of them must be lying. But does this make them a killer?

Gabriel is convinced there is far more to this case than meets the eye. And in matters of murder, Gabriel is very seldom wrong…