York, May 1275. As folk from all over England gather in York for the annual Whitsun Market Fair, a killer stalks the market, striking down a disparate trio of victims with an a wealthy fur merchant, a penniless vagrant, and a local woman. Matthew Cordwainer, King's Coroner of York, must discover what the three have in common if he is to determine who the murderer might be. And when he does, will he be willing to risk the life of his only biological son to capture the killer?