Blood. That’s what Martin Nanther’s great-grandfather Henry was interested in. As Queen Victoria’s favoured physician he became expert in diseases of the blood, particularly the royal disease of haemophilia. But, as Martin discovers whilst researching Henry’s life, he was not just expert – he was obsessed.

Yet reading between the lines of Henry’s medical essays and diary, Martin begins to suspect that his great-grandfather was less than candid about both his life and work. What was he trying to conceal? Were the tragedies of his family life more than mere accidents? And what implications does it have for Martin, the blood doctor’s descendant?

Barbara Vine’s latest novel is a chilling tale of ambition, obsession and bad blood.