Soon after Elizabeth's arrival Sir Anthony's resident doctor, John Kelsoe, is poisoned. Elizabeth seeks Malfine's help when a second death, that of Sir Anthony's son, Cyriack, follows the funeral of the doctor. He, too, has been poisoned. Elizabeth refuses to leave Lady Clara, so Malfine puts his friend Doctor Murdock Sandys in residence while he journeys to Oxford, seeking information. He consults with his former Oxford professor, Dr William Triddle, to learn details about the poisons. Dr. Twiddle and Professor Danberry refer him to former Oxford professor Dr Henderson, believed to be dabbling in alchemy. Henderson vanished, only to turn up involved with Sir Anthony. The information Malfine is able to obtain together with gossip from his companion from the theatrical world, Belos, helps to unravel the mystery,

There is a brooding, foreboding atmosphere reminiscent of the works of Bronte and Austen. The characters are interesting people, including the sensitive hero, Ambrose Malfine; the independent heroine Elizabeth; the mysterious housekeeper, Mrs Romey; Malfine's companion Belos; and the erudite Oxford Dons. Conversation between the dons and Lord Ambrose adds insight into the nature of scientific thought and inquiry in the early 19th century. There is much discussion of the role of alchemy in history. Through Belos we are given glimpses of the theatrical scene of the times. Brief references to Ambrose's past pique the reader's curiosity. If the reader hasn't read the previous books in the series, he will surely be tempted to do so. I did. I find this to be one of the most enjoyable books I have read this year.