This book is the third and final volume in the William of Widford trilogy. The previous books are Skeleton in the Sope House and Mission to a Distant Land. After his career as a special agent of the Crown, William has retired to West Oxfordshire, hoping for a peaceful life as a country gentleman. He is suddenly confronted with a series of mysterious and terrifying attacks at first on livestock and then also on people. His investigations to find the culprit are interrupted by being recalled to the royal service to investigate suspected treason and espionage. He is eventually successful and settles back into his quiet life to write his memoirs.