Midsummer, 1145. The steward of Evesham Abbey is found dead at the bottom of a well pit, and it was clearly not an accident. The Abbot, whose relationship with the lord Sheriff of Worcestershire, is strained at best, dislikes needing external help with the unfortunate incident. How ever, he grudgingly receives the trio of Undersheriff Hugh Bradecote, Serjeant Catchpoll and Underserjeant Walkelin. As the sheriff's men probe who had more reason to want Walter the Steward dead, they discover that truth is in short supply. With the tensions between the Abbey and the castle guard reaching boiling point, another killing will force the investigation down a dangerous path.