The is the 14th book in the Thomas Chaloner series and the first I've read. So it's always interesting to find out if one needs to have read any previous books in the series. The answer is no as I felt no need to have known anything that happened in any previous book. However, I will go back to read more in the series as I enjoyed this.

At it's heart this is a murder mystery set in 1666 London, before the Great Fire of London, which happens later in the year. The previous year the city had been ravaged by plague. Easter is approaching and as Good Friday is on Friday the 13th, and there is a '666' in the year, people are fearful of impending doom, predicted by a soothsayer from Clerkenwell.

Thomas Chaloner is a Gentleman Usher for the Earl of Clarendon and is tasked to find out who is responsible for the murder of Thomas Chiffinch, a courtier and King's Favourite. Many suspect that the earl may have had a hand in the death and it is up to Chaloner to prove otherwise.

An interesting setting, though a bit slow in places, but worth reading.