In investigating the poisoning of a young man in bookshop at the Eastern Market, and the wrongful arrest of one Miss Sylvia Lee, Phryne is plunged into a world ofJewish politics, alchemy, poison and chicken soup. Stopping only for a brief, but intensely erotic, dalliance with the beautiful Simon Abrahams, Phryne picks her way through the mystery with the help from the old faithfuls - Bert, Cec, Dot and Detective Inspector 'Call Me Jack' Robinson. -- back cover.