The new case this time awaits brother Cadfael in the walls of the monastery in Shrewsbury ...

Soon from the spring of the Lord 1144, the abbey of St. Peter and Paul in Shrewsbury will affect the floods. When the river returns to its shores, the dismay brothers find out that the remains of the Saints Winifredy have disappeared, the patron saint of the monastery. Did the big water take them? Or does any of the visitors of the abbey have fingers in that mystery?

And that there was a truly varied collection at that harsh time. Two wandering Benedictine monks, the Earl of Leicester, the elderly troubadur with his gauge and singer… An experienced human connoisseur of brother Cadfael suspects that not every one is at first glance.

The shadow of suspicion quickly settles on the shoulders of the inspecting Benedictine Tutil. His guilt or innocence could be confirmed by an eyewitness, but before he gets the opportunity to speak, he is murdered. Someone apparently trying to sweep the tracks…