There is a new king on the throne, the Edwardian era is done and in the future looms the threat of war in the first global conflict. On board the Gnomon travelling the canals of Staffordshire other troubles will soon change the lives of Maitland Kempson, his sisters, and their life-long friend Constance forever, and that isn't only through competition with the railways.

Local bad boy Carl O'Leary, Constance's unlikely husband, is up to no good.

He and his partners in crime are the new bullies in the neighbourhood, but why?

With gang warfare rife in the streets of nearby Birmingham, do the residents of South Staffordshire need to fear they are to become the new home to those known as Peaky Blinders?

Then there's Rupert, the belligerent colliery owner.

What hold does Carl have over him, and what plans does Rupert have for the colliery?

New faces come to the area, not all of whom are bad news, and when four former childhood friends come together to help Constance, what secrets will be revealed?