Time works differently for devils . . .In the place that we call Hell, the Lord of Swarms is plotting his conquest. In the shambles of London's Smithfield, Jack the Darksman sets off to steal a devil. And in a different London altogether, a wicked secret is about to be revealed. The stage is set for an adventure that will span centuries. Devils are rising once more . . .

Andrew Prentice and Jonathan Weil met at school where they edited the school magazine together. Since then they have collaborated on running a circus, and writing dialogue for robots, as well as writing novels.