In 1142, all England lies in the iron grip of civil war. In the Benedictine Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, too, begins a chain of events that proves no less momentous than the raging strife outside. 

          After the death of Lord Ludel, his son Richard, a student at the Benedictine Abbey, becomes the new lord of Eaton. Richard disappears, and a corpse is found in the forest. It is time for Brother Cadfael to leave his peaceful herb garden and track down a ruthless murderer.