The second novel in the Victorian 'Ladies of Lantern Street' novels features paid companion/private inquiry agent Beatrice Lockwood and burned out ex-spy Joshua North in a mystery involving paranormal forces and Egyptian antiquities.

A mad scientist has preserved his dead lover in an ancient Egyptian embalming formula, and has convinced himself that he can revive the dead woman, but he needs Beatrice Lockwood's psychic abilities to 'ignite' the formula. And he will do anything to capture her.

Joshua North - scarred and forced to use a cane due to the disaster that occurred during his last case - is all Beatrice has in the way of a bodyguard . . .