Once upon a time, Sir Crispin Guest was one of the most brilliant knights of England. Now, a beggar, insulted and dishonored, he investigates crimes committed in the merchant and artisan districts of London.... Crispin's new case seems strange from the very beginning - a teenage girl named Grace confesses to the murder of a man. The fact that she is not to blame becomes clear immediately: the victim - the secret messenger of the King of France - was shot with a bow, and it was clearly a professional who acted. But why was he killed? Gest begins an investigation, but with every step he exposes not only himself to greater danger, but also the beautiful Layvit, who turned out to be an involuntary witness to the crime, a girl who awakened a frantic, fiery passion in his heart...