It's 1907 in the icily beautiful New Venice and the hero of the city's liberation, Brentford Orsini, has been deposed by his arch-rival - who immediately assigns Brentford and his friends on a dangerous diplomatic mission. They soon find themselves involved with some of the city's seediest and most fascinating inhabitants. But between attending soirees at Mallarme's house and drinking absinthe with Proust, they find a city awash with suspicion and danger. In the midst of lush adventure, a new question emerges: How are they going to get home?
