Kit's newly-found interest in art results in him finding himself in terrible danger once again. This time he lands up in the middle of the English Civil War. With his new friend, Sam, he tries to discover what has happened to Sam's father and to unlock the vital secret that seems to lie at the bottom of the mystery. In their search, Kit and Sam encounter vicious and dangerous foes, and come to realise that not everybody can be easily judged. Kit is forced to summon Philomelos to help, but will even he be up to the task? One thing is certain: he will be argumentative, difficult and dangerous. This is the third book in the series.