A medieval crime mystery - and the detectives are the local prostitutes desperate to clear their names. Magdalene la Batarde is the madam of the Old Priory Guesthouse. She and her women are expected to engage in sinful delights, but murder isn't one of them - until Baldassare, the messenger, dies. Though he wasn't a regular client, Magdalene and the girls refuse to let his death go unavenged. Their motive isn't aren't completely altruistic - chances are if they don't find the killer, they'll be assumed guilty because they're whores. The bishop of Winchester, who was served by Baldassare for many years, orders handsome Sir Bellamy of Itchen to investigate. Bellamy is enchanted by Magdalene and while he doesn't believe she is a murderer, she is involved somehow and he's certain she's hiding something.