You're promising me a peaceful one, eh? This Year of Our Lord Nineteen Hundred and Ten? Let's hope you're right. Unfortunately his men can't fill Inspector Lestrade's wish. Nor can his daughter Emma, who brings him news of a tragic boating accident involving members of the family. Lestrade's lot is definitely not a happy one. He has a number of vicious murders to solve: a cross Channel swimmer found killed, one man hanged in a church bell tower, and Lestrade's old sparring partner, Dr Watson. Anarchists threaten the peace of Europe and the whole of Scotland Yard is looking for Peter the Painter.