Its late spring in 1321 & as Sir Baldwin Furnshill Keeper of the Kings Peace prepares for his wedding he receives news that one of his guests Roger Squire of Throwleigh has just died. The new master of Throwleigh is little Herbert five years old & isolated in his grief for his distraught mother Katherine unfairly blames him for her husbands death. At Lady Katherines visible rejection of her son Baldwin feels deeply disturbed about the new heirs apparent lack of protection. For having inherited a large estate & much wealth the five-year-old will doubtless have made some dangerous enemies... When Herbert is fatally hit by a horse & cart just a few days later seemingly by accident Baldwin & his friend Bailiff Simon Puttock suspect foul play. As they begin to investigate the facts they are increasingly convinced that Herbert was murdered; but little do Baldwin & Simon realise that their investigation will lead them to the most sinister & shocking murder they have encountered yet.