September 1941. Delivery boy Freddie Hackett, a message runner for a government office, witnesses an argument that ends in murder. He waits until the coast is clear... but arrives at the delivery address to come face to face with the killer. Dismissed by the police Freddie turns to Maisie Dobbs. She believes the boy, but must maintain extreme caution: she is working secretly for the Special Operations Executive, assessing candidates for crucial work with the French resistance. Soon she is pulled into the orbit of a man who has his own reasons to kill. Reasons that go back to the last war - and could hold disastrous consequences for all involved. -- adapted from jacket.