"Just back from maternity leave, forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway is struggling to juggle motherhood and work when she is called in investigate human bones that have surfaced on a remote Norfolk beach. The presence of DCI Harry Helson, the married father of her daughter, does not help. The bones, six men with their arms bound, date back to World War II, a desperate time on this stretch of coastline. As Ruth and Nelson investigate, Home Guard veteran Archie Whitcliffe reveals a secret the old soldiers had vowed to protect with their lives. But then Archie is killed and a German journalist arrives, asking questions about Operation Lucifer, a plan to stop a German invasion, and a possible British war crime. What was Operation Lucifer? And who is prepared to kill to keep its secret?"--Back cover.