November 1940. Darkness descends and another anxious night begins for
those tasked with guarding the industrial heartland of London from enemy
attack. As a policeman patrols the Royal Albert Dock, something catches
his eye - a man is sprawled awkwardly across a nearby barge, a dagger
lodged in his back.
Detective Inspector John Jago of West Ham CID discovers the victim was a
dock worker by day and a Home Guard volunteer by night - and there are
things even his wife doesn't know about his past. As the investigation
unfolds, Jago uncovers a widening circle of secrets ranging across
family tensions, the last war and a far-flung corner of the British
Empire.