Oxford, 1583. A local woman is found murdered not far from the city walls. At the same time, a seller of herbal remedies is accused of sorcery and faces execution. The two dramas do not seem to be connected, until the young lady Maude Mansfield and her friend Harry Hopetoun begin to investigate...

In this sequel to the charming The Fortunes of John de Courcy, all the characters return for a new, equally enjoyable adventure.

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The clear August sky over Oxford was darkening rapidly as Maude Mansfield exited Christ Church College. Although she was not a timid girl, the first thunder-clap of the storm made her jump as she emerged from the college on to the crowded city street.
To her left the South Gate was busier than usual. People outside the city walls had seen the storm approaching across the fields and were moving fast to take refuge. Carts, animals and humans pushed and jostled to get through the gate.
Maude had not realised there was a storm coming. The day had been hot and humid, as had every day for weeks now. Some of the older people said 1583 was the hottest summer since a Queen sat on the throne. It was an intense heat that turned the milk and made the meat go bad. The townspeople sweated, and the city stank of excrement and decomposing rubbish.
By the time Maude reached Brewer Street the first fat drops of rain began to fall. She pulled her cloak further over her head and around her body, cursing her elder sister under her breath.
"Jane has another colic ! God's teeth ! I am glad not to be such a fragile damsel of a female as she ! Huh ! And yet I have to play the damsel's servant girl." She hurried on her way towards the house of Susan O'Flaherty, the woman who sold healing potions.
The rain gave up all reserve and fell now in thundering sheets. The damp smell of fermentation from the beer brewery filled Maude's nostrils as she ran towards the corner.