In the mid sixteenth century, Henry VIII sits on the throne, and Bianca Goddard tends to the sick and suffering in Londons slums, where disease can take a life as quickly as murder. . . For years, alchemist Ferris Stannum has devoted himself to developing the Elixir of Life, the reputed serum of immortality. Having tested his remedy successfully on an animal, Stannum intends to send his alchemy journal to a colleague in Cairo for confirmation. Instead he is strangled in his bed and his journal is stolen. As the daughter of an alchemist herself, Bianca is well acquainted with the mystical healing arts. As her husband, John, falls ill with the sweating sickness, she dares to hope Stannums journal could contain the secret to his recovery. But first she must solve the alchemists murder. As she ventures into a world of treachery and deceit, Stannums death proves to be only the first in a series of murders--and Biancas quest becomes a matter of life and death, not only for her husband, but for herself. . .