It's 1836 and Ensign Marc Edwards, of His Majesty's 24th Regiment of Foot, is eager for some adventure and intrigue. Unfortunately he's been posted to the colonial backwater of Toronto, Upper Canada, and at first glance there doesn't seem to be much chance for that sort of action. But Marc soon learns that the local population is openly chafing under British Rule, and the surrounding countryside turns out to be a seething hotbed of radicals, Reformers, Yankees and smugglers.

Ensign Edwards is given his very first assignment, to investigate the mysterious death of Crown secret agent Joshua Smallman. Marc goes undercover in the small town of Crawford's Corners, wading into rumours of sedition and secret societies. He quickly finds another kind of action, seduced by one farmer's wife, and entranced by another who is just a little too close to the murder for comfort, Edwards' investigative skills and his loyalty to the Crown are put to the test.

Fast-paced and addictive, "Turncoat" is the first novel of the Marc Edwards mystery series.