During the festive period, the cathedral town of Litchester is more used to carols by candlelight than flames and intrigue. However, when the proposed sale of the town‘s 1225 copy of the Magna Carta causes a dispute between members of the cathedral chapter, there are far-reaching consequences.

Merchant banker Mark Treasure has been invited down to arbitrate the vicious disagreement, but finds himself dealing with more than he bargained for when the Dean’s verger is discovered murdered, his body left to burn along with the ecclesiastical library.

As Treasure‘s investigation progresses and the evidence points to mayhem and skulduggery, he discovers that Litchester, once a town associated with peace and harmony, is in fact full of sins and secrets . . .