Could a village blacksmith and his wife have independently, and on the same day, murdered each other with two entirely different poisons? The local medicine woman doesn't think so. And neither does Kathryn Swinbrooke, physician of Canterbury, who is in Walmer with her new husband, Colum Murtagh. Kathryn and Colum are visiting on state business: the fate of nations hinges on a meeting between the local grandee, Lord Henry, and agents of the French king. Now murder stalks the land, and only Kathryn can cut through the web of deceit that descends with the Spider King's minions.