This sixth Chateau Sarony novel concerns the events arising as a consequence of the purchase by Nikki Prendergast of an American Civil War officer's pistol.
The gun had lain untouched in an attic from 1945 to the present day but having become aware of its existence others are prepared to go to extraordinary lengths to obtain it.
Anna and Martin Price discover that the gun is key to resolving a secret originating from the time of the Conquistadores - long before the conflict between North and South and are ably assisted in their efforts by the US Marine Corps in the shape of their friends Colin Burstow and Aggie Cleburne. Whether Anna's fragile temperament will be able to hold up under the demands made by the life and death nature of the dangers they encounter is a question only she can answer.