The Inner Temple, 1901: a warren of shaded courtyards and ancient buildings that has formed the heart of legal London for hundreds of years. A place where tradition is everything, the police enter only by consent, and murder is only to be found in the case archives. Until now…

At precisely two minutes to seven every morning, Gabriel Ward KC steps out of his rooms in the Inner Temple, presses his oak front door...

The Inner Temple, 1901: a warren of shaded courtyards and ancient buildings that has formed the heart of legal London for hundreds of years. A place where tradition is everything, the police enter only by consent, and murder is only to be found in the case archives. Until now…

At precisely two minutes to seven every morning, Gabriel Ward KC steps out of his rooms in the Inner Temple, presses his oak front door three times to ensure it is locked, and walks to his office to begin his day. Except for today.

Today, the dead body of the Lord Chief Justice of England, immaculately clad in evening dress except for his bare feet, is lying on his doorstep – with one of the silver Temple carving knives sticking out of his chest.
As rumour and gossip fly round the chambers and the press set up camp outside the gates, an internal investigation is ordered by the head of the Temple, who coerces a very unwilling Gabriel into taking charge.

Paired with the eager young Constable Wright, he must draw on every bit of his legal training to solve the case – but not before he discovers that there are more surprising, and sometimes sinister, secrets hiding behind those heavy oak doors than he'd ever imagined.

The first in a brand-new series introducing a wonderfully eccentric sleuth, perfect for fans of S.J. Bennett and Richard Coles.