April, 1145. Thorgar the Ploughman is found by the bloodied body of FatherEdmund, a village priest in Ripple, and is summarily hanged for being caught inthe act, despite his insistence that he is innocent. His sister goes to Worcesterto seek justice for her brother, and the lord Sheriff sends Hugh Bradecote, withSerjeant Catchpoll and Underserjeant Walkelin, to discover the truth. Theysoon find that the ploughman w as indeed blameless, but uncover strongmotives among the other residents and some unpleasant secrets in Ripple.Was it the priest's own wrongdoing that led to his death, or a whisper oftreasure long lost and now re-discovered?