It is the fifth year of the Lord Protector's rule and while life has always been hard for the gypsies, since Oliver Cromwell has seized control of England, life has become harder than ever.
Emilia and Luka Finch's family has been accused of vagrancy and murder, and thrown into gaol with only three weeks to live.
Emilia and Luka's grandmother believes that only the collection of six ancient gypsy charms will see them escape the hangman's noose.
Thirteen year-old Emilia and her cousin are now on a dangerous quest to find these forgotten charms. Their Baba has given them the first — an old gold coin - but now Luka and Emilia must flee from the brutal thief taker, Coldham.
With a little bit of luck - or, as Emilia believes, magic - they might find help, but will Coldham give up so easily?
And there is a price to be paid for each lucky charm. will the cost prove too high?
The first book in the exciting six-book series about the adventures of two daring children, a monkey, a dog and a dancing bear in search of the chain of charms.