A man, dissatisfied with his stepson's life choices, decides to leave his manor to Shrewsbury Abbey. When the man ends up poisoned after eating food sent from the abbey, the stepson becomes the prime suspect in the murder. Cadfael, doubting the quick assumption, sets out to find the actions and motives behind the crime, and in the process may help to redeem himself for a promise long unfulfilled.
—M. Astaphan