Despite this novel being the second book in the series you don't need to have read the first in order to follow the story. I do also recommend the first novel >The Bastille Spy. Both these books are set in France. This story follows from when The Bastille has fallen - the people of France have won the fight. But a killer is at large. As in the first book by C S Quinn the heroine and spy in this story is female - Attica Morgan - a feisty woman who will take on any one. She is helping nobles escape the terror on the streets but as the killer then makes one of her charges the next victim it is clear that she alone can bring him down ... if she can find out who it is. As the murderer decides Attica is his next victim will she fall foul to his actions or will she succeed in outing the killer...........I won't spoil the outcome but you will be on the edge of your seat