The High King of Ireland is found murdered, and the man discovered beside him with the weapon takes his own life before he can be questioned. The apparent solution leaves no explanation for the attack, and the kingdom risks descending into conflict if the killing is connected to rival claims or regional rebellion.
Fidelma is summoned to Tara to investigate a court in which nearly every witness has a political interest in the outcome. She must reconstruct the dead suspect's purpose, examine the High King's private alliances and identify who arranged a crime designed to end with both victim and supposed murderer unable to speak.