Volume X of the Domesday Books.
The ordered calm of Gloucester Abbey is shattered by the disappearance of one of its monks. Only two novices, Elaf and Kenelm, remain relatively unconcerned, still indulging in their secret midnight adventures. Whilst hiding in the Bell Tower, Elaf stumbles over something and, to his horror, discovers a dead body. Brother Nicholas is found; his throat slit from ear to ear.
The Abbey becomes paralysed with fear. The Abbot is unable to deal with such a heinous crime and the Sheriff is all too quick to assume that one of the monks is responsible. This is the confusion that greets Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret upon entering Gloucester. Eager to resolve the mystery, they begin their own investigations. But the killing is merely a sign of a sinister presence which threatens the whole community and must be stopped.
