Ireland AD 671. On the eve of the pagan feast of Samhain Brother Eadulf and the warrior Aidan discover a man murdered in an unlit pyre in the heart of Cashel. He has been dressed in the robes of a religieux and killed by the ritualistic 'three deaths'. When a strange woman known as Brancheó appears in a raven-feather cloak foretelling of ancient gods returning to exact revenge upon the mortal world she is quickly branded a suspect. But in their search for the killer Sister Fidelma and Eadulf will soon discover a darker shadow looming over the fortress.

Part of the The Sister Fidelma Mystery Series series.