Mercedes' boyfriend/co-adventurer Colm disappears somewhere in Britain. His last call is cryptic; the last mail he sends even more so: copies of papers once owned by Charles Dickens. They have nothing to do with the famous writer, but when his namesake and current owner of the documenets is murdered and the originals stolen, police think Colm might be responsible. In order to find Colm, Mercedes has to retrace his steps and learn secrets the Charles Dickens knew about the French Revolution and its aftermath.