London 1923.
During his convalescence, D’Arc used the time to learn the art of kinesics and chooses to use his fascination with the human condition to become a private detective.
Following the gruesome Ripper-like murder of a young woman in Soho, D’Arc is enlisted by Lady Elsa Gabrielle, a close friend of the King to find the killer before they strike again.
In the course of the investigation, he comes across the wild Ruby Alder, leader of a notorious gang of female criminals known as The Forty Elephants.
Together, their investigations take them from the jazz bars of smog-filled Soho to seances with the mysterious Madame Baphomet, and the upper echelons of British society.
It soon becomes clear to D’Arc that corruption runs deep through the heights of society and not even the police can be trusted. With their lives in danger, they soon discover that there is often more than one motive for murder, and more than one person willing to kill to preserve their secrets. In the end, it is often the case that motives for murder boil down to reputation, sex, love, and money.
Jack D’Arc is a gripping thriller that takes the reader from the seedy underbelly of London to the Royal court of the King and those willing to do anything to protect the monarchy from scandal.
GP Taylor is an award-winning New York Times best-selling novelist. His books have been translated into over 50 languages and have been turned into Hollywood movies.