England in the 1630s - a difficult country in turbulent times John Brigge is a governor,a man who has kept away from intrigues to work on his farm and be with his wife, now expecting their first child. He is also - secretly - a Catholic. When he is called to settle the murder of a new-born child, Brigge finds himself drawn into matters he wants to avoid. Katherine Shay, an Irishwoman, is accused of killing her baby. Brigge wants to wait for more evidence. The ascendant Puritan faction, however, demand her immediate hanging. Brigge suspects their haste has little to do with their talk of justice. What are they hiding? And does he really want to know? In the background, a rebellion is brewing. Only Brigge - and his investigation - can change the tide. Torn between home and the world, haunted by the mystery of Katharine Shay, he must finally make a stand.