Spring, 1549. Two years after the death of Henry VIII, England is sliding into chaos; 11 year old Edward VI cannot contain the nation's political and religious unrest. When one of her relatives is killed, Lady Elizabeth calls in her lawyer, Matthew Shardlake, to investigate. Shardlake and his companion Nicholas travel to the lady's summer estate, where a second murder is committed. As the kingdom explodes into rebellion, Nicholas is imprisoned for his loyalty, and in this sixth adventure (after Lamentation), Shardlake must decide where his loyalties lie.