The murder of Peter Gaveston, favourite of King Edward II, in the summer of 1312, sets off a chain of events that sees Sir Hugh Corbett sent to investigate a series of grim murders at the Dominican Priory at Blackfriars. Upon his arrival, Corbett finds the priory has become a scene of death, hinting at a larger, more sinister plot. Concurrently, the threat of the Black Banner Fleet, aiming to weaken the king’s grip on the city by entering the River Thames, adds to the urgency of Corbett’s mission. Faced with a labyrinth of danger and deception, Corbett must use all his skills to unravel the mysteries and bring those responsible to justice amidst a backdrop of political intrigue and betrayal.