Sister Fidelma has rushed to the realm of the King of Laigin to help Brother Eadulf, her closest friend and confidant, who is under suspicion of murder there. He is to be hanged the very next morning. Convinced of his innocence, Fidelma first attempts to file an appeal against the apparently hasty death sentence. However, the powerful figures in the city and the great abbey have much to hide and seem more interested in Eadulf's death than in the truth. A case where everything is at stake for Fidelma. "One of the most interesting detectives of recent years." Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine "Brilliantly crafted background... Wonderfully associative." The Times.