A medieval crime novel in the style of Ellis Peters and Umberto Eco. England, in the year 1537: The Reformation is in full swing, Henry VIII has declared himself the head of the Church, and under Thomas Cromwell's command, commissioners travel the country to inspect the monasteries. Meanwhile, things have completely spiraled out of control at the monastery of Scarnsea on the southern coast of England. One of Cromwell's commissioners has had his head severed from his body with a single sword stroke. The following night, a black rooster is sacrificed on the altar. Who is behind this? And why? Matthew Shardlake, a lawyer and long-time supporter of the great Reformation, is summoned by Cromwell to Scarnsea to clarify the situation. But the more he investigates, the clearer it becomes that he can trust no one and nothing. A thrilling crime novel.