Nicholas Peverell is newly wed to his sweetheart Jane and enjoying married life with her at his manor house at Dean Peverell. One winter evening they invite the bishop of Marchester to dinner. The bishop used to be the prior of Dean Peverell but since King Henry's dissolution of the monastries he now rules the cathedral dignitaries. Next day, on a hunting party in the salt marshes near Pelham Maris, Nicholas meets the bishop again in very different circumstances. He comes across his murdered corpse lying in a pool of water. His heart has been cut out. Nicholas can't help but remember that their previous night's conversation had touched on witchcraft. Rumours abound of a local coven in the area. Has the Bishop fallen foul of it? Nicholas and Jane are determined to discover the truth...