August, 1143. During the ploughing of Abbey land, the hastily buried remains of a woman's body are unearthed. Uneasiness pushes Brother Cadfael to find the whole truth behind this unexpected discovery.

When someone pushes a troublesome newcomer from the steeple of St. Eata's church, Superintendent George Felse is charged with sifting through a long list of suspects to catch the killer.

During the bitter November of 1139, civil war brings refugees to Shrewsbury in search of sanctuary. But two orphans and their companion, a nun, do not arrive from Worcester as planned, and Brother Cadfael is despatched from the Abbey to try and locate them.

In June of 1142, a young monk is murdered next to a white rose bush at a property bequeathed to the Abbey by a young widow. Brother Cadfael finds evidence that points to the widow's own household.

In the Spring of 1140, a young man, pursued by a lynching mob, claims sanctuary just in time to save his life. Brother Cadfael believes the boy is innocent and sets out to prove it.

The attempts by English Benedictine monks to transfer to their monastery the sacred bones of an obscure Welsh saint are hindered by strange visitations and the murder of a Welsh villager.

A dispute over a great diva's will sets the stage for bloody vengeance Antonia Byrne awakes in a splendid hotel room, and finds she isn't alone. When she sees the circle of concerned faces surrounding her bed, she knows she's going to die, but she intends to leave this world with a flourish. After all, she's the greatest diva of her generation and has always known how to make an exit. But before she goes, Antonia needs to say goodbye to Richard, whom she has loved with a passion so fierce she never dared spoil it with marriage. She's made a new will, and she wants Richard to take charge of her most valued treasure. He accepts, and she dies with laughter on her lips. Returning to England, Antonia's entourage is forced to make an emergency landing in the snowbound Alps, where the revelation of the new will leads to jealousy, betrayal, and a sweeping tragedy suited to the legacy of Antonia Byrne.

In the hot, dry August of 1141, England is still torn by civic strife. Amidst the carnage the Abbey of Hyde Meade is totally destroyed; its resident brothers dispersed, finding refuge in the Abbey of Shrewsbury. But Brother Cadfael realizes that two of these refugees are not all that they appear to be.