In 1914, the outbreak of war transforms Cairo into a military and intelligence centre. David is interned because of his Egyptian nationalist sympathies, Ramses is condemned for his apparent opposition to the war, and Nefret’s involvement with Percy deepens the divisions within the Emerson family.
Enemy agents, political unrest and the return of Sethos connect the family crisis to a wider conspiracy. Amelia attempts to identify the Master Criminal’s purpose while Ramses follows a dangerous course of his own, and the Emersons must prevent violence in Cairo without knowing which apparent enemies are acting for Britain, Germany or themselves.