This is the second medieval mystery from Sharon Penman, following Justin de Quincy, knight in the service of Queen Eleanor. His duty is clear: to restrain his brother Prince John in his relentless quest for the throne, and his dangerous pacts with the French king. What does the murder of an innocent pedlar's daughter in a churchyard in Cripplegate have to do with him? But little by little, Justin is ensnared in the case until he comes to feel the force of the dead girl, and thirsts to find her killer. But can he defend the Queen and solve the murder?