Mystery, intrigue, and the supernatural

I was drawn to read this extract from the get-go, owing to its intriguing title, as well as the pleasing cover design. The descriptive passages in the extract really make the scene come alive in my opinion, and I appreciate the mystery and drama that both the main character and consequently the readers are thrown into. The character of the man dressed as a plague doctor lends to the already dark atmosphere of the text, and makes me curious as to how the story will continue. There seem to be some supernatural elements at play, which further encourages me to read this book. It seems that the protagonists' guilt may be the driving force of the plot, and I would like to know how that will affect him and his future actions. I am very curious as to the relationship between the title and the plot.