John Rawlings, the brilliant young 18th Century apothecary, and London's famous magistrate, the Blind Beak, look set for their most intriguing and perilous adventure yet. After the discovery of a body in the popular swimming baths, the Peerless Pool, they find themselves mixed up in more than just a spot of fishing. Who is the mysterious Hannah and could her murder possibly be connected to the disappearance of two children, long ago London's most colourful apothecary finds himself in more danger than ever before as he struggles to discover whose evil hand lies behind the trail of death and despair.