Summer of 1853. Crimea, dazzling sunshine, grapevines…
An irresistible Englishman, Archibald White—a wool merchant, an adventurer at heart, and an incurable conqueror of hearts—arrives at the scorching peninsula. He stays at the estate of the wealthy merchant Frol Chertopuzov and soon becomes a welcome guest in the most respected homes in the province.
But another frivolous intrigue by White leads to truly terrifying consequences. Jealousy, rivalry, and wounded pride end in murder.
Under the calm Crimean sky, a dangerous clash unfolds between detectives and cunning criminals who are ready for anything to avoid punishment. False suspicions, skillfully hidden tracks, planted evidence…
Will the detectives be able to get to the truth—or will a murder committed on a summer night remain unpunished?