Richard Eusden is on his way to work in London one unremarkable winter morning when he is intercepted by his ex-wife, Gemma. She has sad news: his old friend, Marty Hewitson is dying, and needs a favor from Richard. He sets off on what should be a simple errand, but soon turns into a race for life, sweeping across Belgium, Germany and Denmark, and into the Nordic heart of a mystery that connects Marty's long-dead grandfather, Clem, an Isle of Wight police officer, with the tragic fate of the Russian Royal Family.