1811 – Soldier Raif Jarrett returns from battle to an unfamiliar homeland.   Sent to the northern dales market town of Woolbridge to pick up the affairs of his partron, the Duke of Penrith, after the unexpected death of a steward, Jarrett finds the estate account books missing.   Uncovering a network of corruption he comes up against the town’s powerful, self-made magistrate, Mr Justice Raistrick.   When a young woman is found dead, the enigmatic newcomer to the close-knit community, Raif Jarrett, finds himself accused of her murder.  The soldier must fight for his life one more time as he seeks to uncover the truth.