It is 1941 and the Germans have won the Battle of Britain. Detective Douglas Archer finds himself working under the brutal SS in occupied London. Archer investigates the murder of a black marketeer. When the glamorous US journalist Barbara Barga is spotted at the scene of the crime, Archer's gut feeling that this crime is far bigger than it would at first seem is confirmed, and he soon finds himself embroiled in a deadly plot.
An unexpected meeting with Himmler and Huth's boss, Professor Springer, underlines to Archer why the SS so desperately needs to track down the elusive Dr John Spode. When Archer finds himself unwillingly dragged into the resistance's plans, Huth endeavors to swing Archer's allegiance to the SS cause. Whose side will Archer choose?
Finding the missing atomic bomb documents becomes Archer's main priority as he frantically tries to track down the elusive Dr John Spode. Still a target for the Resistance, Archer faces a fatal tussle on the underground and a deadly explosion at Highgate Cemetery.
With the army imposing martial law and a rounding-up of Resistance members, Archer faces life-changing decisions. Barbara's surprise proposal could provide a safe haven for Archer and his son, but can he really trust her with the country's most sought-after possession? Despite being caught in the middle of a battle between Kellermann and Huth, will Archer finally agree to help free the King?
Archer and Harry attempt to drive the king out of London, but things do not go to plan and Sylvia becomes an unlikely ally. Following a rough interrogation with a badly shaken Barbara Barga, Kellermann is hot on Archer's heels. With Huth desperate for the atomic secrets, will the showdown at Bringle Sands end in triumph for Archer and the Resistance or will Kellermann have the last laugh?
Barbara faces the ruthless Kellermann in his cells, desperate to know not only what is going on between Huth and Archer but also what was on the burnt film found at her house.
