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 pleas of innocence.When his sister goes to Worcester to seek justice for Thorgar, the lord Sheriffsends Hugh Bradecote, with Serjeant Catchpoll and Underserjeant Walkelin, todiscover the truth. They soon expose strong motives for placing the blame onthe ploughman's shoulders, some unpleasant secrets festering among thevillagers, as well as the whisper of a treasure long lost and now rediscovered. The noose casts a long shadow, but the Sherrif's men will need to plumb thedarkness to uncover the true killer.