1804: The Admiralty have ordered Ramage's return to the Mediterranean. This time his task is not to pursue the French fleet, but to rescue a group of influential British prisoners being held hostage by Napoleon. Admiralty spies think they have discovered where the prisoners are being held - but Ramage is forced to doubt the accuracy of their information.
And off the unknown, enemy coast of Tuscany, Ramage and the men of the Calypso face their most hazardous adventure.