For Sir Baldwin Furnshill, Keeper of the King's Peace, and Bailiff Simon Puttock, the Christmas of 1321 looks set to be one of great festivity. They are to receive the prestigious gloves of honour in a ceremony led by the specially elected Boy-Bishop. But they soon learn that Ralph - the glovemaker - has been stabbed to death. Then Peter, a Secondary at the cathedral, collapses from poisoning. Simon and Baldwin must solve the riddles surrounding the deaths, but as they dig for the truth they find that many of Exeter's leading citizens are not what - or who - they seem to be...