1861. Constable Faro is heading home to Orkney, pursuing a private investigation into the mysterious drowning of an ex-colleague's relative, champion swimmer Dave Claydon. Was this an accident or does Claydon's death have a sinister connection with missing artefacts recovered from the Armada galleon sunk off Spanish Cove? At Scarthbreck his mother is determined to find him a wife and this Lammastide the legend of the seal king's annual claim of a human bride becomes reality. Faro's holiday and his original secret mission turn into a nightmare. With himself as the prime suspect in the girl's disappearance, he is in deadly danger, his life threatened by circumstances beyond his control.

In August 1811, George, Prince of Wales and the Prince Regent is horrified to find his mistress Sarah, Marchioness of Creeve dead in his bed, strangled by the string of pearls around her neck. The Prince realises what a scandal could come out of a dead married woman (not to mention his younger brother's mistress) so he has Tam Eildor, masquerading as a Scottish lawyer, investigate the murder. Tam's investigation is interrupted by an attempt on his life - and the Prince's discovery that the Stuart Sapphire has gone missing. Tam's search for the killer and the thief puts his life in danger. Amidst a cast of royally quirky, entertaining, and psychologically complex characters, Tam needs to figure out his purpose in the Prince Regent's service, find the killer thief, and get home before time does away with Tam's memory of home, or someone does away with Tam.

July 1660, Falkland Palace, Fife. After rescuing King James the Sixth from a runaway horse, Tam Elidor finds himself in favour. As the King's new object of affection Tam has become the target for jealous courtiers - and their attentions are seriously hampering his investigation into the murder of Margaret Agnew. Why was the Queen's midwife killed - was it a case of mistaken identity, is it related to secrets from James's past and could Tam's good friend Tansy be at risk? Dangerous forces are at work, forces that will lead the King to Gowrie House and to a mystery that remains unsolved today...

Rose McQuinn is invited to stay with her friend Olive, who has a small cottage on the Balmoral Estate. As Rose travels on the train with her trusty dog Vane and her niece Mabel, she wonders what exciting adventures await them at the Royal household. Little does she realise that within just 48 hours of their arrival, death will have visited the great castle . can Rose find out what happened and prevent any more bloodshed?

It is 1906 and the Faro family gather in Orkney after the sudden death of Inspector Faro's son-in-law Erland Yesnaby. The family try to support grieving widow Emily, but after witnessing strange behaviour from the royal yacht, the 'Victoria and Albert III', and when a body of one of its passengers washes up on the shore, both Inspector Faro and his investigator daughter, Rose McQuinn, struggle to resist the mystery of the Scottish coastline.When the ever-loyal gardener Sven starts acting strangely, and a shocking truth about him is uncovered, Inspector Faro and Rose McQuinn realise that the lives of more than one member of their family might be in danger. And with time running out, will these two renowned detectives be able to crack the case together?

Reprint of the original, first published in 1883.