Richard Eusden is intercepted by his ex-wife, Gemma She has sad news of his old friend, her other ex-husband, Marty Hewitson Marty is dying, but needs a favour done for him Eusden sets off on what should be a simple errand, but turns into a race for life, his and Marty's, across Belgium, Germany and Denmark and on into the Nordic heart of a mystery that somehow connects Marty's long dead grandfather with the tragic fate of the Russian Royal Family Eusden discovers to his dismay that he can trust no-one, in a battle for survival with those who are determined to steal the secret they believe he and Marty hold - and will kill for it if they have to Every move Eusden makes threatens to be a step into disaster