In the mid 90s, Elizabeth Booth is a hopeful, adventurous and romantic Arabic student at Durham University who sets out for Damascus, Syria for her year abroad. She had worked previously in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London as a DS 10, the most junior grade and spent three years in the British Embassy in Sana’a, Yemen before enrolling into Durham. During her time in Damascus, Elizabeth improves more than just her Arabic as she falls headlong in love, not only with her beau, but also with the Syrian people and culture. She easily slips into a life in the ancient city. She has friends, her studies, and her boyfriend. But things aren't always what they seem. Soon, in a world where mistrust and disloyalty are commonplace, the unsuspecting Elizabeth finds herself navigating a web of politics, intrigue and terrorism involving the MI6, deadly militant factions, and the shadowy Syrian secret police.