Forbidden in Victorian England the grim and violent world of bare-knuckle fighting has gone underground. So when a headless body is found floating in the Thames his hands “pickled” for fighting Sergeant Cribb knows he is facing a challenge. Desperate for information they select the young constable Henry Jago to infiltrate the gang subjecting him to a rigorous programme of purging pickling and training. Cribb is certain that the losing fighters are being killed or worse so getting Jago out just in time is crucial…