A spy uncovers a political plot in 18tn century Vienna in this sequel to the acclaimed historical thriller Secretum-"another tour-de-force of derring do" (Historical Novel Society).
Vienna, 1711. Atto Melani, a spy in the service of Louis XIV, arranges for his faithful helper to relocate from a Roman slum to the imperial court in Vienna. There, Atto enlists his help in a secret mission to bring about the end of the war between France and Austria. Meanwhile, a Turkish delegation has arrived in Vienna for talks with Emperor Joseph I-despite the fact that Austria is supposed to be at peace with the Ottoman Empire.
When the emperor suddenly falls ill with smallpox and students are targeted by a serial killer, some fear that a centuries-old power struggle has been reignited. Can Atto and his helper prevent Europe from descending into all-out conflict? An unfinished palace known as the Place with No Name, an exotic menagerie and a fantastical Flying Ship are just some of the ingredients of this baroque spy novel.
