The brooding Scilly Isles provide the backdrop to the sixteenth mystery featuring the ever-popular Baldwin Furnshill and Bailiff Simon Puttock in this ‘Tremendously successful medieval mystery series’ Sunday Independent

On their return home from their pilgrimage, Baldwin and Simon’s ship is attacked by pirates and Simon looks on in horror as Baldwin is swept overboard. Washed ashore on the island of Ennor, Simon is distraught to think that his closest friend is dead, but he has to put aside his grief when he is ordered to investigate the murder of the island's tax gatherer. Meanwhile Baldwin himself has been saved. Washed up on the neighbouring island of St Nicholas, he is nursed back to health by the beautiful Tedia andhe too begins to investigate the murder. As Baldwin and Simon’s parallel investigations bring them closer to the truth, they become embroiled in the bitter rivalry between the two island communities. They have both seen enough bloodshed to last them a lifetime, but can they uncover the truth in time to prevent still more?