March 4, 1861: On the day of Abraham Lincolns inauguration, the last thing anyone wants is any sort of hitch in the proceedingslet alone murder! Fortunately the president has young Adam Quinn by his side . . .
 
Lincolns trusted entourage is on their guard. Allan Pinkerton, head of the presidents security team, is wary of potential assassins. And Lincolns oldest friend, Joshua Speed, is by his side, along with Speeds nephew, Adam Quinncalled back from the Kansas frontier to serve as the presidents assistant and jack-of-all-trades.
 
Despite the tight security, trouble comes nonetheless. A man is found stabbed to death in a nearby room, only yards from the president. Not wishing to cause alarm, Lincoln dispatches young Quinn to discreetly investigate. Though he is new to Washington, DC, he must navigate through high society, political personages, and a city preparing for war in order to solve the crime. He finds unexpected allies in a determined female journalist named Sophie Gates, and Dr. Hilton, a free man of color. Together they must make haste to apprehend a killer. Nothing less than the fate of the nation is at stake . . .